Analysis Of The Tank Man

Freedom:

1. the power of self-determination attributed to the will; the quality of being independent of fate or necessity.

Freedom throughout the ages, freedom has been defined in many ways; it is often through conflict and the pursuit of greater personal freedom that these definitions are draw or refined. This can be seen in the clandestine images that found their way into public circulation of the Tiananmen Square Massacre; namely images of “The Tank Man”. Named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Photographs That Changed the World” (The Digital Journal n.d.), images of Tank Man have become icons of the Tiananmen protest and subsequent military violence that killed hundreds, possibly thousands. Figure #1, captured by Jeff Widener on June 5, 1989, was one of the first of these iconic moments to enter the world stage.

Amid the well-focus and relatively well lit image, the slender, unassuming figure dressed in black and white, embodies the elements of self-determination standing in stark contrast, yet overshadowed by, the drab camouflage colors of political and military oppression. To the even, natural-toned brightness of the image, the darkened olive-drab greens and desert tan specks of the machinery gives an eerie contrast to this representation of the unfolding events. Signified by the basic palette of colors adorning the lone human figure, tentatively identified as a male, has come to present the quiet yet steadfast voice against the totality of oppressive regimes. Equally significant is the uniformity of colors found on the tank’s exteriors which seem representative of the strictly prescribed presentation of the military. The background is awash with white, red and burnt orange stripes astride a weather-worn asphalt grey roadway p...

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...to which Gandhi intended to pursue freedom for his homeland.

Gandhi’s non-violent efforts to attain freedom and independence for India from British Colonial rule solidified his place in the annuals of time. His influence can be seen in many of the movements that have further the cause of human and civil rights from Africa to the United States. Gandhi refused to capitulate to pressures of oppressive and discriminative foreign rule and continued to speak out for his country and for those seen as “lower class”. Ultimately, it would be violence that would be Gandhi’s downfall when in 1948, he was assassinated by a fellow countryman. (Robert 2011) Nevertheless, throughout it life, he espoused the ideals of inner-strength, non-violence and concern for his fellow man. Many of these traits are evident in this image of him and represent his embrace of this type of freedom.