Visual Analysis by Nisarg Patel Year 9

Visual Analysis Text 1:

Text 1 is a photograph that represents the destructive and horrific effects war has on
children through the use of props and facial expressions. Taken during the Vietnam war,
text 1 is a photograph that represents the destructive and horrific effects war has on
children through the use of props and facial expressions. The text depicts poorly children Comment [T1]: Avoid poor..they may
have come from a rich family? Use other
that were snatched away from their families and were sent to Vietcong camps. The text descriions like wretched or poorly which
represents children as the most vulnerable to the dangerous effects of war. This was has a different meaning than poor.

achieved by, in order to confronting the viewer with a heart-breaking image of two poorly Comment [T2]: Try not to use the
same word twice (not including articles like
uneducated children who are sharing a cigarette and holding a rifle. This is evident through the a etc) in a sentence here you use
were twice
the composers representation of two children who appear to be are not even aware of the
Comment [T3]: There can be no
danger situationational danger and the risk to theirimportance of well-being. Props such as explicit deduction that would indicate
the cigarette and rifle adds extra meaning to the picture. The composers use of props uneducated this is your assumption

suggests that the composer wants to evoke emotions such as hatred empathy and curiosity Comment [T4]: Again you cannot say
that they are not aware etc you can infer
from the viewers hearts. The composers intention is to make us reflect upon how lucky we this only :D
are to have food, shelter, freedom, education and most importantly, parents who love and
take care of us. Furthermore, the author also aims to condemn enslavery of children in war Comment [T5]: Was this the intent or it
that your idea and feeling , the
through this photograph. photographers intent and your perception
are two different things

The idea that war has destructive and horrific effects on children, is amplified through the
composers use of facial expressions. This is evident through the composers representation
of the two wretched poor children who have given up on hope escaping the plight of war
that they are faced with. and There is an undercurrent that implies that have accepted the
fact that they have no other choice other than fighting for the communist Vietcong,
communists. Facial expressions of the two poor children are as if they are comfortable Comment [T6]: Change word

holding the rifles and taking orders from the Vietcong soldiers. The composers use of facial
expressions suggests that the poor children are grateful for the fact that they are alive and Comment [T7]: Change word

will do anything to do so. They are being controlled by the Vietcong authorities just like
puppets are controlled by puppeteers. Clearly, the composers intention is to make us feel
appreciative and fortunate of all the things we have, instead of being greedy. Lastly, the
composers representation of how war interferes with childrens freedom and education as
a means of developing in a safe and educated place. This positions the viewer to feel hatred Comment [T8]: Again this is your
opinion . Hmmm I would remove this or
towards the Vietcong soldiers and authority. This makes the reader to reflect on the fact put it at the end of the work are yu
that we still have so many unlimited wants whereas the poorly educated children who are repeapeating yourself here with this

literally trapped in a cage are just facing the truth and are satisfied with basically nothing.

The Vietnam war was an excruciating and annihilating conflict during which both sides;
North Vietnam and South Vietnam, were impacted heavily by the losses of lives as well as
the methods of warfare that were used by America to find the Vietcong. Along with the
death of thousands of soldiers, more than 2 million Vietnamese civilians were killed. Comment [T9]: Maybe this should be n
the introduction as a way of putting some
Analysing these images has prompted me to appreciate all the things that I have and to context to your work
understand that life isnt always a fairy tale where everything ends in happiness. My
 Visual Analysis by Nisarg Patel Year 9

realisation about the destructive and horrific effects war has on children developed
because of the representation of the two poor children in text 1. The children depicted as
innocent and uneducated, were smoking a cigarette and on the other hand holding a rifle.
My anger towards the Vietnam war and its effects come from the fact that I believe that
these children deserve better than being forced to fight in a war and that they deserve a
normal childhood that we all are privileged to experience. During the Vietnam war, poor
uneducated children were snatched away from their families and were sent away to
Vietcong soldier camps. If they stood up against the Vietcong, childrens families would
most likely be killed or made slaves. Learning about the traumatic experiences of the
Vietnam War has confronted me with the reality and importance of well-being and
education. This is because of the fact that education is essential to get a good lifestyle and
well-being is essential for humans to survive and live a good lifestyle. Additionally, my
appreciation of how war interferes with freedom, education and a secure lifestyle
developed as a result of the representation of the two children who are in a highly unsecure
situation where their lives are at stake, as well as lack of education and freedom in text 1.
Clearly war is a destructive and tragic experience for children to go through. I believe that
those children deserve their right to education, state of well-being, good lifestyle and
freedom. However it is something that must be confronted because of the fact that there Comment [T10]: Why red this last
but seems a bit rantish I think you need
are thousands of children are dying as a result of fighting in war without any experience nor to put your feeling into connect with
anyone to support them as they are all by themselves, helpless. reference to parts of the image /text.
 Visual Analysis by Nisarg Patel Year 9

Visual Analysis Text 2:

Text 2 is a photograph that represents the devastating effects war has on civilians through the use
of facial expressions and camera angle. Taken during the Vietnam war, civilians were trying to flee
from their cities to save themselves and their families. The text represents civilians as main victims
of war and its devastating effects as a means of confronting the viewer with an image of a
Vietnamese family trying to escape the war between two parties, by hiding in tall grassland. This is
evident through the composers representation of the Vietnamese family hiding in fear under the
tall grassland. One of the visual techniques such as facial expressions suggests that the teenage girl
is hiding in fear and agony of the war. The composers use of facial expressions suggests that the
composer wants to reveal the fact that civilians are most vulnerable to the destructive effects of
war. The composers intention is to inform us that war is not only devastating for soldiers but it is
far worse for the civilians as it dramatically affects their well-being. By doing so, the author
condemns the destructive effects war has on civilians and their families.

The idea that civilians are most vulnerable to the destructive effects of war is depicted through the
composers use of camera angle. This is evident through the composers representation of the
camera being faced right at their faces. As a result, this makes the people in the photo seem as if
they are asking the viewer for help. The women who is seen to be wearing a scarf is desperately in
need of medicine as she is seen coughing. The composers use of camera angle suggests that war
always leads to the physical, emotional and psychological suffering of civilians. Clearly the
composers intention is to reveal the terrorising and depressing effects war has on civilians and their
families, and to condemn the use of warfare in villages where civilians are living. Lastly, the
composers representation of civilians being most vulnerable to the destructive effects of war
positions the viewer to reflect on the importance of well-being and how war can result in civilians
fleeing their home country or village in search of a secure and peaceful place.

The Vietnam war was a ruthless and fatal conflict during which civilians were being targeted
unintentionally by the American soldiers in order to locate the north Vietnamese communists by
dropping thousands of bombs along many cities and villages. Analysing these images has prompted
me to reflect on the importance of security and to appreciate the fact that there is the UN that
makes sure of the unity of all countries so that horrific wars do not occur. My appreciation of the
destructive effects war has on civilians developed as a result of the representation of the teenage
girl who was seen scared and fearful of the dangerous situation she was exposed to in text 2. During
the Vietnam war, children went through times of despair and mental stress due to the loss of their
family members and injuries. Learning about the traumatic experiences of civilians in the Vietnam
war has confronted me with the reality of war and its merciless consequences as a means of how
the war had destructive impacts on civilians even though they had nothing to do with it.
Additionally, my appreciation of civilians being displaced from their family units developed as a
result of the civilians having to hide in tall grassland whilst a soldier was covering them at the
entrance of the little pathway, in text 2. During the Vietnam War, civilians went through very
 Visual Analysis by Nisarg Patel Year 9

traumatic experiences because of the warfare going on around there towns and villages. However
the Americans impacted heavily in terms of bombs and agent orange where villages were destroyed
and civilians were dead and many others injured severely. Learning about the traumatic experiences
of civilians has confronted me with the reality of how war has a destructive and weakening effect on
civilians. The weakening effect was the main cause of millions of civilians dying or being severely
injured. Clearly war is a merciless and painful, but it is something that must be confronted because
of the damage done to not only the civilians but their villages and families as well as the damage
done to the vegetation, animals and definitely the land.