LOOKING AT NEW ORLEANS: FOCUSING ON VISUAL LITERACY English 30-2 “A Streetcar Named Desire” Unit ~

Why New Orleans? The play “A Streetcar Named Desire” is

set in New Orleans in the 1940s. The city is an integral part of this play as the backdrop for this story. In recent history, the people in the city of New Orleans suffered in a horrific natural disaster: hurricane Katrina. This hurricane devastated the city. Katrina killed, hurt, and displaced the people of New Orleans, and so the people who live there are now regarded as brave survivors. The hurricane was well documented by journalists and citizens alike, and we remember the disaster though photos such as the ones you are about to see.

Connecting to Visual Literacy

On the diploma exam, you will be asked to write an essay based on a photograph. Throughout this course, we will be practicing our visual literacy by analyzing, discussing, and writing about various photos that connect with the texts we study.

Consider the following photographs depicting the disaster in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Choose one photo to analyze and write about.

What to look for: What is the CENTRAL IDEA in the

photograph? Is there CONTRAST? What significance does the COLOUR

play? What SYMBOLS or SYMBOLISM is

present?

Visual Analysis Gallery Step One: Walk around

the room and look at the photos. As you are analyzing the photo, please write down any words or ideas that come to mind when you are looking. These comments will then be available for you to consider when you are completing your analysis assignment on the photograph you choose.

Visual Analysis Assignment Step Two: Brainstorm

about your photograph, considering elements such as: Theme Symbols or symbolism Color Juxtaposition Affect on the audience

(you!)