Response to the Story and to the Photographs
Response to the Story
The story entitled “Omayra Sanchez” written by Isabel Allende first illustrated a photograph of a girl, disclosed to be the subject of the narrative discourse. As evident, the girl, Omayra apparently died by being trapped in a mudslide, together with her brothers. One therefore shared similar contentions and feelings with the author for having alleged that at some point in time, we, as viewers or spectators, could empathize and see ourselves as sharing similar plights as the girl who was depicted in the story. Through the image, the audience could deduce that the girl was alone and that the loneliness and hardships experienced in her life could actually be perceived and seen as it radiates from her eyes.
It was therefore commendable on the part of the author to try and explain the lessons learned from viewing the photograph of this girl. As asserted, the lesson was about life and death. At such a young age, she was noted to have suffered so much pain that when the photograph was taken viewers could have different interpretations of the image. In fact, Allende even contended that despite the girl’s death, the fact that her image continues to be shown in the photograph is almost synonymous with her being immortalized. As noted, she never dies but is born every instant – every moment that viewers get to appreciate something which could be learned about life and death through the photograph. Thus, despite the gruesome outcome of her life, her memory could remain within the midst of the people who were given the chance to know her from the story shared by the author. Response to the Photographs
Wildlife Fund. The first photograph shows a white polar bear slumped in an alley of what appears to be a poverty stricken neighborhood. A sign could be read as “YOU CAN HELP. STOP. GLOBAL WARMING” all text in capital letters but of different fonts. The second photograph shows a mother and young penguin, also in a similarly depicted poverty stricken alley as it could be interpreted that these penguins could be searching for water. The same sign could be seen in the photograph. Finally, the third photograph shows another animal, possibly a sea lion, sleeping on a bench and covered with newspapers possibly to cool itself. A brick wall is at the backdrop and the same sign is vividly advertised upon a tree, situated just at the back of the bench.
The message that these three photographs send is clearly evident and understandable: stop global warming and as human beings, we can help. Otherwise, these hapless living creatures, who most need higher temperatures as local residents of cool and snowy areas are most affected by the climate change. Viewers could have diverse reactions to these photographs; but for me, one was moved by depicting these helpless creatures in extending the message to assist in stopping global warming. If the same rate of global warming continues, it could actually be possible to see these creatures migrate to places where they could adapt and struggle to live. Thus, through the use of images that portray their inability to directly assist in stopping global warming, viewers are made to assume a more proactive and immediate stance in the urgent endeavor.
Works Cited
Allende, Isabel. "Omayra Sanchez." Taking a Stand. n.d. 590-592. Print.
"Portfolio - World Wildlife Fund." Taking a Stand. n.d. 616-618. Print.
