V-J Day Or The Kiss At Times Square By Alfred Eisenstaedt

722 Words2 Pages

The photo named "V-J Day or The Kiss At Times Square" by the artist Alfred Eisenstaedt is one of America's most iconic pieces of art. The picture illustrates a young man wearing the uniform of a sailor in the United States military and a young woman dressed in a nurse's traditional outfit. The two individuals are shown kissing in the middle of New York's Time Square. The kiss itself appears to be a spontaneous moment due to the body placement of the female. The woman is bent backwards in the embrace of the service member's arms. The man dipping the female has one of his hands supporting her waist while the other is hooked around her neck pulling her ever closer to him. The woman seems to be caught off guard by the kiss. One reason the …show more content…

Truman's announcement of Japan's surrender during World War II. After nearly a decade, the war in the Pacific had finally come to an end. Service members were overjoyed by the news that their world of bloodshed and turmoil had come to an end. Chaos ensued those hours following the broadcast. People took to the streets all across the nation. However, while the majority of the nation was in celebration, not all of the nation was ecstatic. Riots broke out in some cities throughout the United States. America had become accustomed to the media portraying the news of death and the loss of their men; some were not quite ready to hear the news of Japan's surrender. Nevertheless, this timeless photograph portrayed the true beauty of the …show more content…

The energy, happiness, and mere spontaneity that Eisentaedt captured was part of America's greatest victories. The photograph perfectly illustrates the exuberance in America after the declaration that after nearly half a decade the war with Japan had come to an end, and with it, WWII. However, "V-J Day in Times Square" not only captured what emotions America felt, but also all countries felt when a war comes to an end. Any war, from any era demonstrates the same emotion of intense appreciation when soldiers come home to their families. While undoubtedly not all of the merriment might not have been so sporadic, it comes of no surprise that a multitude of men and women alike grasped onto the opportunity for celebration. Individuals of all ages were able to let go of the unceasing capacity of unexpressed fears, anxieties, anger, and sorrow of the preceding

Open Document