Question

Describe the process of taking the photograph as detailed in the story with the photographer

Answer 1

Answer:

In With the Photographer by Stephen Leacock we have the theme of insecurity, anger, appearance, confidence, acceptance and control. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed forty year old woman the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Leacock may be exploring the theme of insecurity. The narrator while sitting in the photographer’s studio begins to read some magazines. It is through her reading of the magazines and seeing how other women look that the narrator begins to feel insecure about her appearance. This may be important as Leacock could be suggesting that the narrator is unrealistically comparing herself to professional models. Women who have had make-up applied, proper lighting and clothing prior to their photograph being taken. If anything the magazines make the narrator insecure when the reality is there is no need for her to be. It is also noticeable that the photographer takes a dislike to the narrator’s appearance (her face) judging it too be wrong. This too may be important as it suggests that there is a standard being set by the photographer and that the narrator because of how she physically looks does not meet that standard. Just as there is comparisons being made by the narrator to the women she sees in the magazines. Likewise the photographer is making comparisons or judging the narrator solely on her appearance.