American Revolution Myth Assignment
Story Truth by Jake Parker-Howe
Happening Truth by Chris Progler
Critique of the Painting by Katherine Mei
The Resignation of General Washington, at Annapolis, Maryland, 3 December 1783 by John Trumbull is an oil on canvas that resides in the Yale University Art Gallery. Throughout the painting, there are many well-known figures such as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, as well as the General's wife, Martha Washington.
The exigence in this painting is to portray this painting as a companion to the Declaration of Independence. Trumbull considered George Washington's resignation as "one of the highest moral lessons ever given to the world." Trumbull had been an aide-de-camp to General Washington during the Revolutionary war, so he has a close relationship with him. The purpose of this painting is to depict General Washington as a heroic figure, a person whom the author looked up to. The audience in the painting seems to be the figures sitting down with serious and attentive faces. This overall painting appeals to the public, the people living in the colonies.
The author depicts this painting as a solemn event because of his color choice as well as setting in the Senate Chamber of the Maryland State House in Annapolis. There are few colors, which could either represent the seriousness of this meeting, or simply just the author's yearn for dark and few colors. There is a distinct line of light and darkness separating the top and bottom of the painting. The most important figure in the painting is, of course, George Washington; therefore, he wears bright colors such as hues of yellow. Also, in contrast, there are some figures with red and bright colored clothing as well to represent class. This represents a patterns throughout the painting: people with class and wealth, which is shown through the people's clothing. The women are up in a balcony, which could have been added to balance out with the columns on the other side of the pairing. One particular person sitting down has his so-called "thinking face" on with his hands on his chin and with him crossing his legs.
Identity of the Author by Anjani Moola
War Story
As George Washington stood waiting for Congress to accept his resignation from General, he struggled to maintain his composure and sanity as he recalled the fate of his deceased friend in the British army. George had encountered his friend during the heat of battle, and driven by a patriotic berserker rage, had shot him in the left knee, ran up to his friend, and drove his bayonet into the man's torso 29 times. As his friend bled out onto the cold mud, George Washington, American Hero, picked him up, threw him into the Delaware River, and pinned him to the riverbed by an American Flag. "Looks like you should have been more Del-aware of your surroundings," he said. Realizing what he had done, George Washington cried, even as the battle raged on around him. Now, standing before Congress, Washington explained how proud he was of the things he and his troops had achieved in the war. Yet there were things he would always regret.
But none of that is true.