In Chapter ,1 we read about Ansel Adam's early life and formative experiences. The most significant event of his young life was the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, when he was 4 years old. Probably more significant though was simply the place in which he lived. His home was on the north western edge of the city near what is now Baker's Beach. "He did not know what would have become of him if he had not been borne near the ocean."pg5. This location allowed him to engange his natural inquisitiveness and curiosity.
With that time 100 years removed from now, it is difficult for us to appreciate what his life was like then. Historical accounts of the earthquake give us a glimpse at that time, though he was only 4 years old 1906. He certainly remembered the quake but you wonder how those memories changed over time.
Ben and I were talking about a similar type of experience in his life. September 11th, 2001 occured when Ben was 5 years old. When someone writes a biography about Ben's life, will it be important for them to include that event? Why or Why Not.
How does learning about the earthquake help us to better understand Adam's life?
Monday, April 6, 2009
Chapter 1 - Environment
Posted by Mr. Z at 2:25 PM
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I have to comment on the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and what they will mean in the future. Authors, the media, U.S. citizens- already use Sept. 11th or 9/11 as a cultural shorthand. When we hear or read or see referenced these terms,we are expected to have a familiarity with the events at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the field in Pennsylvania where passengers overwhelmed the terrorists and put down their plane. No matter what memories if any Ben has of these events, they have already been shaped by continued media coverage and the expectations of an understanding of this day in U.S. history.
I think that you can expect that the San Francisco earthquake was like that for residents of California if not for the entire country. You may not have had a specific personal connection to the day's happenings, but because of its impact on the area and long-term effects, there is an expectation of understanding there as well.
I have thought a lot about the question of the role that 9/11 would play in a biography of Ben. 9/11 was different for Ben then the earthquake was for Ansel Adams because Ben does not carry any memory of that day with him. However if I were writing Ben’s biography I would make note of 9/11 because it happened at an important moment in his life. He had just begun kindergarten. 9/11 shaped the world that Ben would live in after that day. His life will be different because of 9/11 – though quantifying that difference is impossible to do.
As for how learning about the earthquake helps us to better understand Ansel Adams – I was struck by the passage of his father being across the country at the time of the earthquake. He only had access to the most basic information about what was happening in San Francisco. He certainly knew nothing of the fate of his family. It took him a full week to get home. I thought about what the family must have felt when he returned. That anecdote helped me to understand how different the world was that Ansel Adams lived in. One difficult thing about reading about the past is appreciating how differently people lived. What would the place of a photographer be in a world without phones, TV, radio, and very limited film?
With the question on 9/11 and me, I can’t recall that day. It wouldn’t be included, because it didn’t affect my life at all. In fact, on the family website, you only said I was excited to show you the book I got from the library then. In short, no, it wouldn’t be written in.
By learning about the earthquake, we better understand the fright the family was feeling during and after it. However, the sadness one would be feeling seeing their son being flung at a brick wall during an after shock couldn’t be written in words.
We also more understand the kind of destruction that must have happened to ansels house. We alrdeady knew a lot of the damage, but not the whole deal. We still don’t, but we more understand the topic.
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