Raising Of The Flag On Iwo Jima Analysis

Composers have the ability to use their texts as an effective medium to provide insight into controversial issues. This gives them great power to share stories and opinions that can influence audience’s perspectives. The use of distinctively visual techniques in John Misto’s Shoe-Horn Sonata and Joe Rosenthal’s “Raising of the flag on Iwo Jima “gives the ability for both composers to contrast the issues that were faced in World War II. Misto’s text provides a dark perspective which presents the hardship of war through the story of two captured female nurses. This is contrasted with Rosenthal’s text which challenges the audience by idealising the heroism and teamwork associated with war through an iconic photograph.
The use of distinctively

By using distinctively visual techniques Misto is able to assert his view on the British shame on the events of Belalau, However this view of shame is contrasted with Raising of the Flag on Iwo Jima. This image depicts six wounded United States servicemen raising the American Flag during the battle of Iwo Jima, This image is seen as patriotic unlike Shoe Horn shows the shame of the government. Rosenthal uses distinctively visual features such as monotone, gaze and salience to create a patriotic reaction from the image. Raising of the Flag on Iwo Jima was captured using a black and white camera, the use of monotone in the photograph creates timeless and powerful meanings for the responder, this is important as the monochrome is used for its simplicity and the black and white colours are symbolic of the adversarial nature of war. By using this colour hue Rosenthal creates a patriotic reaction by dividing the war into an “us or them mentality”. By placing the American flag in the centre of the frame, Rosenthal shows how flag and countries are important to individuals. As the responders gaze is drawn from the flag to the secondary figures of the wounded servicemen, Rosenthal is able to re affirm his views on patriotism towards the audience as the men are willing to die for their country. It is shown through the comparison that both Rosenthal and Misto are able to assist two conflicting views on the issue of war. Thus is because Rosenthal’s image of the Raising of the Flag on Iwo Jima is a highly decorated piece of US propaganda, whereas Show Horn tells an untold story and therefore reaffirms the sense of shame. The use of controversial topics allows for the audience to have mixed opinions about events that have been presented to