Dbq Monument Essay

Monuments hold an important place in our society. They are used as a medium to remind the public of events, people, and the morals they embody. When considering to memorialize an event or person, it is important that a group or agency considers the public’s reception to the creation of the monument, and when creating a monument, it is imperative that the cost and type of material being used be considered, as well as the location of the structure.

To begin with it is important to consider the public’s reception to the monument. This step is extremely imperative, as they are the principal viewers of a monument. This idea is explored throughout the controversy surrounding the Holocaust museum located in The Mall in Washington DC. As Christine Musser reports, people from broth Jewish and non-Jewish communities were outraged by the museum, saying that the museum would be “offensive to any informed individual” (Source E). The reason for this anger was the fact that the United States had done little to prevent the Holocaust. Although the creators of the monument probably cared for the Jewish populations, and more extensively the general populous, they did not fully take into account the reception of the entire population. Had they

done this, the museum may have received less negative criticism, and perhaps may have better represented the events of the Holocaust.
When creating a monument, it is imperative that a group or agency considers the type and the cost of material.

The materials are the makeup of the monument, and if they are not arranged in a fashion that is visually appealing, it can distract a viewer from the meaning of a monument. An example of this situation is recounted in Source F. In this article, we learn about the tragic story of the Maine Lobsterman, and how its poor craftsmanship led to it being moved about and vandalized. Since this monument that was meant to embody the spirit of Maine was moved around a lot implies that the meaning of the statue was lost because of the poor craftsmanship. In the words of the article, “No one seemed to want the man and his lobster,” (Source

F).
Additionally, this source shows the importance of budgeting in the creation of the statue. It’s poor craftsmanship was a direct consequence of the lack of funding, as it drove the artist to cover the statue with bronze paint, rather than completing it properly. We see that a lack of funding not only lead to a terrible job, but to the lack of interest in the statute, and the structure’s eventual deterioration.
Finally, it is imperative that the location of a statue is taken into account. A statue should mould into its surroundings, yet still stand out. In Source B, one can analyze the photo taken by Jim Deegan. We see that the statue of Christopher Columbus is surrounded by trees, implying that the statue is located in a park of sorts. Additionally, we see that the statue perfectly blends into its surroundings, and it doesn’t look out of place. A viewer may almost feel as if Christopher is actually present, and observing something in one of the trees. Had Columbus been depicted riding his ship, the statue may feel out of place, and connection between the structure and the viewer may be weakened. We also see that the statue stands out a little from within its surroundings. It is very easy to see, as there is a space dedicated primarily for the statue.
In conclusion, it is important that a group or agency not only considers the public’s reception of a monument, but also the cost and type of materials being used, as well as the location of the structure. With careful consideration of these factors, a monument can not only be politically appropriate, but visually appealing.