The image above shows five marines planting the American flag on top of Mt. Suribachi after the battle of Iwo Jima. The flag was placed on the highest point of the island to signify that victory was achieved to all the remaining Americans troops. Another flag was in its place before this picture was taken, but it was too small, so the change for a larger flag was made. The battle of Iwo Jima was one of the hardest fought and most costly combats in the conquest of the Pacific islands. Joe Rosenthal, the photographer, was under heavy fire for this picture in the past. Rosenthal was accused of staging the men for the iconic photograph, but eye witness support and his own word proved the image was completely natural (History).  Joe captured a perfect photo that symbolizes the strength of the American people, and the vastness of our accomplishments.

The angle of the photograph coming from behind the soldiers casts a shadow over each face or masks them completely (Fig 1). This effect leaves the men without individual identity, but instead creates a symbolic representation of what country and people they stand for. Theses soldiers stand for justice in the free world and unity over all nations. The Marines in the image are doing a service for their country, to be one of many brave souls to fight and die for a higher cause. The line running along the length of the flag is essential to the context of the picture. It literally represents the American victory over the Japanese, but also symbolically it represents the lives that were lost being lifted up by their brothers in arms Although they lost their lives the dead were remembered and celebrated through the symbol of victory sitting upon the top of Mount Suribachi. The flag meant a revitalization of the will and want to fight the American public had after the Japanese sneak attack at Pearl Harbor starting America’s involvement in World War II.

 This picture was for the American public to see the positive gains the U.S. Military had made in the Pacific against the Japanese. It was to not only inspire the American public but also the soldiers who fight for her. The man in the front leading the planting of the flag embodies the U.S’ inner strength and leadership (Fig 1). He exemplifies what all military personnel do, carrying the weight of America and all the people living there on their shoulders, as if they were the titan Atlas holding the world. He pulls the flag pole up from the ground as if from the ashes the Pearl Harbor attacks. The photograph bursts with emotions, the man in the back with his fist up is joyful over the hard fought victory. It appeals to the emotions, any viewer of the image knows that during war there is sacrifice and losses. Knowing this means knowing that there is an empathetic sense of pain shared with these men, but also there is an overwhelming happiness and jubilance in knowing they were victorious after the end of the battle. Each day we should be happy and grateful that those brave men stood steadfast against an unrelenting enemy just so people can live their lives and our country could have a future.

There is a significant height difference from the back of the group of men to the front creating another line. The line leads straight into the ground like a concrete foundation, the Marines are planting the hopes and beliefs of the United States, represented by the flag, into a foreign lands terrain, as if planting a tree and they are the acting roots. Another height difference is the contrast of the men on top of Mt. Suribachi and the surrounding valley below. The contrast is symbolic in the fact that the men are put on a pedestal above everything like a gold medalist platform, a place for victors. The vastness of the valley shows the huge amount of effort and fighting that occurred for the men to be able to plant the flag at the highest point on the mountain. Black and White images create dramatic emphasis on the subject of the photo, although it also distorts the image and creates more shadows making it harder to see details. The men seem almost chiseled into stone, an iconic pose representing victory that made the history books. The strong stance of the men is supporting the United States lifting the country to its full potential and position in world power. The image might be demanding some sort of nationalistic pride or gratitude for those who died and those who lived for the flag the Marines are lifting up. It is not even question, we should in fact be whole heartedly grateful and appreciative of the military and all it does for us and the country. 

The photograph “raising the flag at Iwo Jima” is without question one of the most famous and patriotic pictures in World War II. It is a symbol of victory over crushing odds to the American people even now. The American flag is in essence power and a keeper of peace to a majority of the world. The fact they were victorious shows the resolve American share and the ability to overcome adversity and win. It is not for any idealistic reasons the United States was involved, it was for the preservation of peace and the commitment to democracy which all soldiers stand for.
