American Gothic is probably familiar to most people by the fact that it has been parodied so often throughout American culture. Painted by Grant Wood, it was a depiction of the roles of men and women (hard work and domesticity) in 19th century America. It featured a farmer holding a pitchfork with his spinster daughter standing behind him. I’m sure there was more to it…
Recently my mother and brother were at an outdoor art exhibit where they put on their best American Gothic.
REVISITED
Parodied again,
American Gothic stands
In a New England field
*
No spinster daughter
No farmer father
Elderly woman and her son
*
Nostalgia renewed
Modern Americana
Iconic irony
The Well Tempered Bards 
[…] REVISITED […]
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Huh, I always thought it was a married couple.
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I used to think that too then a few years back we were fooling around with it again and I decided to look it up… shows how the image of women was inferred… that his daughter could look so old …
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I always thought it was a married couple too, shows you what I know! But I love the one done by your Mom and brother, so much more interesting than the typical mom and son photo op, probably much more being said about their relationship too. I love the comparison in this, then and now, a different way of life, different roles and perspectives. Everything is different and yet in some ways maybe everything is still the same. I can only fathom such a portrait of my father and I. I wish I had more of those, to understand better what was between us.
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I think most people do. John (my brother) is a whole lot of fun and is one of the people who can get my Mom to do things like this.
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I like the slippery ‘feel’ of “Iconic irony”. I think I’d need to understand a little more about the original to really *get* they layers of meaning here. You have confused me, which (for a poem) is an equally successful outcome, I think 🙂
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Well I think the irony is how much roles have changed and how people continue to parody the painting. You should google images of American Gothic and look at the zombies etc… Or maybe you need to know my mother, but she is a force to be reckoned with … certainly not a stand behind a man sort of woman. Not to mention she had many children and no “spinster” blood… ( hate that word but its how the painting is described)
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See then, it’s all dramatic irony, found in the nuances behind the painting and the parody 🙂 Still, now I understand more, I like it more. Thank you for the clarification x
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my pleasure , sister!
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I love your mother’s take on this painting and your fantastic use of language really captures the whole thing. I love to see all the parody’s of this piece…probably because it is one of my least favorites. It’s nice to see others make it more 😀
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She can be really funny. Thanks Laura… yeah, it is a pretty stuffy piece of art isn’t it?
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It is. Of course, I’ve never been much on the “stand behind” philosophy for women.
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me either… of course my momma raised me!
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Huh? Not a couple. I guess we learn something new everyday. Thank you!
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Now you can relax the rest of the day!
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Ah, different versions through the generations, Zoe! Cool one!
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Thanks Michelle!
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I learn something new everyday. 🙂
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See… that’s a good day!
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This was awesome and fun. Love the humor, and the inspiration. As for the painting, just goes to show how our perception colors our judgement.
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Not only did I learn something here, I was treated to a great poem. Had me hooked on the first word – “Parodied” Thank you for sharing this.
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They’re so cute!
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[…] My brother came to town and his family took my mom to an outdoor art exhibit where they did their best American Gothic impression…. wrote a poem about it on The Well Tempered Bards. […]
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