War- it’s talked about everyday, whether it’s learning the history of past wars, or the potential of a new war. However, people who have not personally been affected by a war may not understand just how it feels to put your life on the line for your country, or to watch your loved ones do so. This image is a black and white photo that appears to be dated, featuring two people- a soldier with his jaw hanging open, perhaps in the middle of yelling, and a woman with pursed lips against her hand that is clenching onto a cross pendant. A powerful image like this one represents how war takes its toll on and affects people and also provides a viewpoint on war that people may not have otherwise. This image shows what life is really like in time of war. It is not like it is in the movies, or in books. Instead of portraying stereotypes of war, this image provides one authentic representation of war by capturing candid photos of two people during the war. By looking at the focus of Russian soldiers preparing for the Battle of Kursk, July 1943, contrast, and colors, viewers can see that the main focus is on the cross being held tightly between the woman’s fingers. This is significant because it emphasizes the importance of prayer and religion, as well as gender roles during times of war. 

By looking at the focus in this image, the cross is clearly made as the central focal point. Located in almost the middle of the image against a much darker background, it is quick to grab the attention of viewers. It is also very much in focus compared to the blurred out background. The background is so blurred that no objects to the left of the soldier’s face can be clearly identified. This adds mystery to the image because there is no obvious setting. It is unclear if the man and woman are in the same place, or if this is simply just two pictures put together of them from different places and different times. The cross is the one clear, simple part of the image that does not create more mystery and curiosity. Because it is the focus point, it is completely visible with no blurriness or darkness covering it. This emphasizes just how important religion is and that in hard times such as war, it is the one clear answer for many people. In trying times, people turn to prayer in hopes of a better, more peaceful life. The cross is the smallest object in the entire photograph, yet the focus on it makes it feel as though it is the largest. Regardless of size, it is made out to be the most symbolic part of the image. It is much more than just what it appears on the surface at first glance. It is not simply just part of a necklace a woman is holding, it is a representation of what is holding her life together, the one thing that remains constant while everything else around her is changing due to the war. She appears to cling tightly to it as though she depends on it and if she loses it, or gives up on her religion, she will be left with nothing. It is the one last thing she is holding on to in hopes that her prayers will be heard, the war will come to an end, and these tough times will finally be over once and for all. 

From the left side of the image to the right, the picture gradually becomes darker until it is pitch black in the two right corners. This darkness covers most of the woman, so that all that can be seen of her is her hand and her facial expression. The cross is the single brightest part of the image and this immediately draws the eyes of viewers. By making the cross stand out and become the focal point of the image, the photographer is able to emphasize the importance of prayer to soldiers and their loved ones during war. The contrast of colors in the picture place the woman in the foreground and the soldier in the background, showing readers that although the actions of these two are occurring simultaneously, perhaps they are actually in separate places. It appears as though the image overlaps a picture of the soldier at war, and the woman at home praying, in order to capture the emotions and stories of both in one single image.

With pursed lips against the hand holding the cross, the woman appears to be praying and concentrating deeply, perhaps praying for the soldier who is also pictured. The soldier, whose face is in the lightest region of the image, is in the middle of shouting something. With this serious expression, he looks like a young soldier who is off at war. The roles of these two people go along with the stereotypes and gender roles of families because they are not seen as strong enough to fight like men do. Sometimes, they have no idea when the next time they see their husband, brother, son, or dad will be. They really don’t even know if their loved ones will ever return home at all or if they will instead be brought in a casket prepared for burial. In times like these, the only thing that they can do is pray for the men fighting and putting their lives on the line.

The simple colors of the image, which only uses black and white, allow for more focus to be on the expressions and details of the woman. There is no color or background to distract viewers from noticing these tiny, but important, details such as the wrinkles and dirt that are covering her face. She is not as dolled up and feminine as women were so often portrayed during the 1940s when women typically wore dresses and featured curled hair and and sophisticated makeup featuring lipstick and winged eyeliner. The marks seen on her face suggest that the war has taken its toll on women back at home, and that life is not perfect. The wrinkles represent the stress and tiredness women felt when they were forced to take on the roles of the absent men along with the roles that were already expected of them around their homes and with their families. Although the women may not be away at war on the battlefields, they are at home fighting their own personal wars. In a different way than it affects the soldiers, the war also takes its toll on the women who remain at home. It can also be observed that while much of the woman’s face is shown in black, the cross is white. Not only is the cross white, but it is the whitest item in the whole image. This color suggests the purity of religion and the darkness of the woman suggests the sins associated with humans. People are not perfect, but throughout prayer and religion, they can better themselves, repent of their sins, and become more holy. Without knowing the title, the simple colors make it hard to guess whether the picture is from a time where only black and white photography was used, or if the author just chose to put the image in black and white to eliminate the distractions that colors would create for viewers. No matter what war or time period this image is from, the same importance of religion and presence of gender roles can still be seen today. 

Although war seems to be such a popular subject in today’s society, many people cannot completely understand just how war affects people. This image represents the gender roles that arise in times of war. Although it may seem as though men and women are now equal, in times of war, this is definitely not the case. Men go off to fight on the front lines because they are strong enough to be able to endure the physical labor. They are seen as fit enough to spend all day fighting and to be able to live with the emotional toll of taking the life of another person. If there is a draft, men are not even given the choice to fight. They are forced to go and fight for their country, putting their lives on the line. Meanwhile, women are seen as so feminine, gentle, and fragile, that they couldn’t possibly take on these responsibilities. So instead, they stay home to care for their children and work when times get tough, they pray. They pray that they are able to once again see the men in their life that they love and care about. They pray that they will not have to be the ones to have to bury their son or their husband. Young girls pray that they will not have to go to a funeral for their brother or dad so soon. These trying times remind people of religion and they pray in hops that their prayers will be heard soon enough to be answered.
