visual literacy

Molly Bang's theory of visual literacy is displayed in the American Gothic picture. The upper half of the picture is happy looking because of the lighter colors and the way the roof points to the sky. (even the window is rounded and also points toward the heavens.) The center of the picture is the man and woman's faces which appear sad and strained. Their eyebrows and corners of their mouths point slightly down. The lower part of the picture is heavy with dark color. The pointed pitch fork gives a bit of a frightening feel.

The contrast in color of the man and woman's clothing help draw the eye toward the center of the page. The woman's sloping shoulders brings the eye down on the page, over toward the lighter bibs of the man, and back up to their faces.

The man's facial expression appears indignant (or maybe it's the way he's holding the pitchfork), and the woman's appears fearful.