Nile Hardy

British Literature

Mr. Obrien

2/4/14

American Gothic

By Grant Wood

Depressing, unnerving, dark… True America?

These are words that came to my mind,

When viewing this painting for the first time

So simple, only two people, a man and a woman.

A house, some trees.

Simple shapes, blank expressions, and a pitchfork.

But one of America’s best known paintings.

The man’s immovable demeanor, the woman’s troubled,

Expression, the Great Depression maybe?

So simple, but extraordinarily complex in imagination, and interpretation.

Is the farm failing?  Will they not leave? Are they both,

Willing to face the ordeal, or is just the husband?

The pitchfork. He is gripping the pitchfork, his livelihood

In his right hand.

There is a red barn in the back, farmers

I would assume.  But they are not in traditional farming attire

So are they farmers? The man, he is standing like a statue

His face has a look of determination, and concealed anger

But if they are not farmers, and it is not during the Great Depression

Then what is the situation? I am curious.

Nevertheless, the man and woman’s facial expressions show

They are standing strong against something threatening,

But whatever the circumstances of the painting, Grant Woods

Left American Gothic open for a wide range of interpretations.