Nantucket is an island that lies about 14 miles south of Cape Cod and 30 miles into the Atlantic Ocean. Nantucket has a year-round population of about 10,000 residents, but it is mainly known for attracting summer time visitors from around the world. The quaint, scenic beaches combined with the bustling cobblestone streets, and bustling town make for a popular destination capable of catering to all age groups and backgrounds.  However, Nantucket was not always a picturesque land of vacationers and wealthy homeowners. In fact, Nantucket was once far from what it is today in terms of wealth, lifestyle, and scenery; All of which helped shape the Nantucket known today. 

 The first picture is an aerial view of the island. This picture was most likely shot by a satellite or plane. It shows the entire island at once. Its hard to imagine the same island that is known today as it once was. The whaling industry once defined the island, which today is defined by summer tourism. The turquoise surrounding the island shows the shallow waters which encompass the island and bring to mind a tropical-like feel during the summer. These waters were the same waters which once were home to hundreds of whaling vessels. It is hard to imagine the same waters of Nantucket known today once being home to most of the worlds whaling industry.

The second picture of my visual text show an artist’s rendering of a whaling scene. I chose the picture because of how accurately it looks to portray a whaling expedition. The larger ship in the background is important because it shows how massive of an up-taking the whaling expeditions were. The expeditions called for massive ships, due to the length of the journey and distance covered. The scene shows a smaller boat harpooning the whale, which is how all whaling was done at the time. The scene also depicts the massive waves the whalers would have to endure in order to successfully make the catch. That being just one of the many extreme dangers facing whalers. Another major aspect of the picture is the dense fog that seems to be filling the picture. This is characteristic of Nantucket as the island is known for its dense fog. The fog does more for the picture than just bring to mind Nantucket however, it sets the scene and the feel for the viewer. Fog is often identified as gloomy and somber. This is appropriate for a picture of whaling due to the death that plagued whaling expeditions due to injury, drowning, and disease. 

The next picture depicts the “Nantucket Whaling Co.” sign. This sign helps illustrate how whaling in Nantucket was like any other big industry, complete with advertising. The company used signs like this one to recruit deckhands, captains, and anyone else willing to take on the endeveour of a whaling expedition that could last anywhere from one to three years. The company did this will full knowledge that many of these sailors would not return home. This gives witness to how a business can come to define an area. This is certainly true for Nantucket as whaling is ingrained into the islands history and is prominently displayed on the island today through museums, shops, street names, and restaurants. One can argue that even though the sign promoted a brutal and unforgiving industry, it gave rise to what Nantucket is today and helped define a culture.

The next picture is of a house on Nantucket and is an example of the style and theme of the island. The house style has been the same on the island for over 200 years. Grey siding with white trimming. This size house is not uncommon on the island. This speaks to the wealth that the island holds today. The picture itself depicts a beautiful house on a hill, most likely on the water. The sun is perfectly hi tting the house which can be seen as a symbol for how the island is today, peaceful and beautiful. This is a long ways from the gloomy, foggy pictures of the islands past. However, without those who settled on the island and persevered through the years of whaling, there may not be the Nantucket that there is today. This presents the argument that in order to achieve beauty, there will be hardships and gloom along the way. Success does not just happen overnight, it takes years and years to get there. That is what Nantucket represents. 

The fifth picture is of the Brant Point lighthouse. This is one of the most iconic landmarks of the island. This lighthouse was the first to be built on the island and has stood for over 200 years. The Brant Point lighthouse not only welcomes all who visit the island but also says goodbye.  The picture is very calming and peaceful which can represent the feel of Nantucket. The American flag in the picture is symbolic of patriotism and complements the other aspects in the picture well. The calm water is representative of the calmness of the island. The light is almost perfectly hitting the water and is shot from straight on.

The last picture is of the Nantucket Harbor. This picture is representative of the peacefulness of the island as well. The boats in the picture show how the island is centered around the sea. The boats are docked in the same places hundreds of whaling vessels once docked. This picture can almost take you back in time if one imagines how the harbor once looked. The sunset in the background is symbolic of the beauty of present day Nantucket. However, it was the whaling vessels and the men who risked their lives on them who allowed Nantucket to gain the wealth it has today and claim its beauty. This presents the argument that success and beauty does not happen overnight and instead comes from years of hard work to get there.

The pictures presented come together to tell a story and make an argument. They tell the story of how a small island of settlers turned into a booming industry that would define the island 200 years in the future. And it presents the argument that success doesn’t happen overnight. Although much of Nantucket remains the same since the days of whaling defined the island, the people who populate it are much different. Years of brute, determined sailors walking the cobblestone streets of the island have paved the path for wealthy tourists and residents to enjoy the island today. The gloom and fog have been replaced by sunshine and beauty. Nantucket is an island that embodies its past culture and does not turn a blind eye towards it. Instead the residents recognize that without the booming industry that once drove so many people to her shores, there might not be the Nantucket we know today.