Student A Fall 2002
Student A Fall 2002
“The Girl with the Wine Glass”
“The Girl with the Wine Glass”
This piece may represent the game of seduction. The players in this game include the intercepted (Gentleman in the background, #1), the interceptor (Gentleman in the foreground, #2), and the trophy (Girl).
The “game” may have started with a mid-day brunch or perhaps lunch between gentleman #1 and the young girl. The mid-day conclusion was arrived at by considering the amount of sunlight that is projecting through the stained glass window in the upper left portion of the piece. The thought that it may be a breakfast or lunch meal is based on a number of things. First, there is only one plate for the two of them, this suggests that the two of them are sharing and that they do not plan on eating much since you can only fit so much food on one plate. For example, if it were dinner the two of them would likely have a plate for themselves because people tend to eat more at dinner. The content of the meal also supports the mid-day suggestion. On the plate is an orange and what appears to be two slices of bread, food that is commonly consumed during breakfast or lunch.
This is only a background of the apparent situation. There are other things to consider about the setting. The fact that the table is small and that there is only one plate may have been planned ahead of time by gentleman #1. He may have planned the small table to bring him and the girl closer, and the fact that there is only one plate may have been done to create some intimacy between the two by having to share food. The gentleman planned on dining alone with the girl. The gentleman may have also placed the table in the corner in order to create some privacy for the two. All of this was most likely done in an attempt to “win” the girl over.
Then gentleman #1 may have been intercepted by an unexpected visitor (gentleman #2). The thought that their meal was intercepted is supported by the position of the girl. Her chair is pushed back, away from the table. She may have slid back when the second gentleman approached her. Her half-eaten meal would also suggest that she had been interrupted. The posture and expression of the gentleman in the background may also support the idea that an interception occurred. He is back in the corner; in the dark, as if he was no longer in the picture. Even more, he may also be out of the “game” as well as the picture. His fist appears to be clenched and his knuckles white. This may indicate his feelings of anger and frustration for having been defeated. He is the first to lose, the intercepted.
The second player to enter the game is the gentleman in the forefront. He is blocking the other gentleman out. This is shown by his body position. His back is turned on the other gentleman. This could also suggest that the gentleman (forefront) may believe that he has to do whatever it takes to “win”; even if that involves turning his back on his fellow man. He is also using some outside influence, the glass of wine, to try to increase his chances of “scoring.” Whether or not he will win the game cannot be determined because he is still playing the game. He is the interceptor.
The young girl is the trophy that the winner receives. I believe that she is well aware of the game being played and that she is why the game is being played. The smirk on her face may be one of comfort and enjoyment. She may enjoy and take comfort in the fact that she is the object of affection. She dictates the pace of the game, she is the controlling factor.
This game of seduction has its loser, its new player, and its trophy. This is a game that isn’t worth playing. This is a game where there truly are no winners.
Holy mackerel! This is worth reading just for the first section, on the time of day. What a careful piece of work.
I wish that you had had leisure for two or three times your 667 words: I’d love to see even more examination. You slipped, in comparison to your opening, in the rest of the paper.
You did let a couple of typos fall through, including an end of sentence error.
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