Washlesky 1 Savannah Washlesky Writing and Rhetoric Professor Bain-Conkin 17 October 2013 Rhetorical Analysis: Lake Melvern The

photograph Lake Melvern by Terry Evans highlights the difficulty in ascertaining the difference between beauty and destruction. The color photograph comprises of a slightly aerial view of a scene in nature, taken in mid-morning with low resolution. This photograph explores the coexistence of beauty and destruction. The world consists of both of these positive and negative elements. When together, they are difficult to decipher. People must decide for themselves whether they see beauty or destruction along with which one they will focus on or if they want to see both. The dual presence of the colors and the lifelessness of the brush and the pollution of the gas in this photograph prove that beauty and destruction can coexist. The distinguishing feature of Lake Melvern is the white fog that parades the center of the photograph and becomes the focal point. It appears like a ground-level cloud and instantly draws the viewer in. Immediately above the dense white fog lies a more transparent, yellow-colored gas. A small portion of the gas rests slightly off center and is a darker shade than the rest of it. Above the yellow gas, the fog turns white again and there are some limited patches of gray that protrude into the top right corner. After observation of the gases, the viewer might begin to rationalize the fact that the photograph is titled Lake Melvern, yet no lake is visible. This leads to the assumption that the lake is covered by the dense fog.

Washlesky 2 The yellow gas stands as the most interesting aspect of this photograph. It, like the lake, is hidden behind the white fog, so its true size remains a mystery. The gas yellow hue is far from natural and almost screams pollution. Bright colors like yellow commonly represent beauty and positivity, but the darkness of this yellow and its concealment fight this. The yellows dark shade, which becomes more evident through its contrast with the white fog, parallels one that would pester the sides of an EPA advertisement scaring Americans away from exerting extraneous amounts of greenhouse gases because of the effect on the environment. The hidden nature of the yellow gas, concealing its size and source, adds to the darkness and mystery behind it. The existence of yellow in this photograph exhibits the double meaning that the color can have. When portraying a gas, yellow represents pollution and uncleanliness. However, at its heart yellow is a bright color. The presence and beauty of the yellow develops initial intrigue in this photograph. It seems out of place in this scene, which makes its presence all the more important. The presence of a yellow gas, rather than a black one which is only negative, increases the beauty of the photograph. Without the yellow gas, much room for interpretation would not exist for this picture because the scene would appear straightforward. The yellow adds an additional dimension to the photographs purpose by questioning the dichotomy of beauty and destruction. Beauty also arises around the idea of a lake existing behind the fog. The yellow gas portraying pollution is just an illusion, as it most likely fails to extend to the rest of the area. Lake Melvern itself is probably a gorgeous piece of nature, lacking any pollution or discoloration. Viewers need not daydream long to picture a

Washlesky 3 serene body of water full of wildlife. Reversely, however, the pollution and destruction could have an equal effect on the lakes as they do on the rest of the scene. The lake could be a grim representation of the deterioration of the environment, marred by increasing industrialization in the surrounding areas. It could be swampy and polluted, threatening the health of wildlife and destroying any ideas of beauty. Either possibility remains plausible while the lake is shrouded behind the mystery of the white fog. Beneath the white fog, black brush covers the ground of the scene. Three locations of skinny, leafless trees frame the two sides of the photograph. The lack of leaves makes the trees look dead, though they could just have lost their leaves because of winter. The presence of trees in the photograph implies that most of the area had trees at one point, but they have been removed. The emptiness of the scene presents a feeling of desolation. If the trees really were cut down, then a theme of destruction sinks into the picture. It makes the trees that are present look like the sole survivors of a horrible onslaught, though their fragility and loneliness are far from remarkable. The brush itself is the same color black as the trees and the fog encompasses most of the brush area except for a small portion in the bottom right corner. The brush as a former habitat for the trees brings a negative connotation to the brush, especially with the somber color black involved. However, the ambiguity of the future of the brush provides a sense of hopefulness to the scene. The ground is empty now, but plans might exist to replant trees in the area. The seeds could even have already been planted in the ground. In this case, the barren area serves as a representation of hope for the cultivation of new life. Upon the growth of the

Washlesky 4 seedlings, this area has the ability to become the beautiful piece of nature that it once was. In this photograph, the brush combines the powers of both emptiness and hope for growth that enable it to demonstrate not only destruction, but also beauty. The top left corner of the photograph features a patch of blue sky that contrasts the rest of the scene. The amount of blue is small, yet has enough of a presence to be noticeable. It is the only explicitly positive aspect of the photograph. On a basic level, the protrusion of the blue assists viewers in discerning the time of day of the scene. Its brightness suggests that the photograph was captured in midmorning. Blue, like yellow, is a primary color, enabling it to become a prominent part of the photograph by catching the attention of the viewer. Within the context of this picture, the vibrancy of the blue symbolizes hope for new growth. Darkness and despair cover this scene with the presence of the mysterious fog, yellow gas, and dead brush. In the face of this negativity, the blue sky remains present. Its presence matches that of a rainbow in the sky after a long, torrential downpour. It proves that hope for the future takes precedence over any past events. Hope for growth in this photograph drives on the purpose of the blue as a symbol of redemption. A certain beauty exists in knowing that such a desolate scene can be surrounded by a sky of this color. On its own, blue is a beautiful color, and that facet is furthered through this photograph as it continues its positive connotation. Even without gleaning into the deeper meanings of the gases or the brush, the blue makes this photograph beautiful. Everything that the eye sees can either be put up to interpretation or is an illusion. A scene like that of the photograph Lake Melvern illustrates both beauty

Washlesky 5 and destruction through the dual nature of most of its features. If everything only had one dimension and was just as it seemed to be, no excitement would exist behind the revelation of new angles. Finding beauty in something that spells destruction, or uncovering destruction within something beautiful, leaves viewers with an appreciation for what is less evident at first glance. The coexistence of two seemingly opposing elements, such as beauty and destruction, proves that there is always more than what meets the eye.