The Wish Bone: Winslow Homer (1864)

The image that I have chosen to analyse this week, is this. "Thanksgiving Day In The Army; The Wish Bone." by Winslow Homer in 1864.

Oridnarily, with pictures of this time and place, we see illustrations of death, despair and fear during the harsh days of the Civil War, but at the end of 1864 Winslow Homer created the above image.
This depiction became an image of hope, bringing joy to the troops, and hopefully reminding them of the little things in life that make the days a little bit easier to endure.

In this image, we can see soldiers pulling on a wish bone, after presumably finishing their Thanksgiving Meal.
It can be said that they look peaceful, the soldier in the middle has a serene look about him - calm and determinate. The soldiers are enjoying a small moment of happiness in a time when happiness was hard to find; "it's almost as if they know that while the war is not yet over, it soon will be and they will be able to return to their families."
[http://www.sonofthesouth.net/winslow_Homer_Wishbone.htm accessed: 13.11.11]

Relaxed, smoking, and with their empty plates surrounding them these soldiers seem repleat after dinner whilst the two pulling on the wishbone are enjoying the game, the other is watching on, refereeing.

I chose this image, because it symbolises that even in the dark times (The Civil War) even the smallest of things (The wish bone) can make the day a little bit brighter.