"Raft of the Medusa" (Research Paper Sample)

"Raft of the Medusa" The "Raft of the Medusa" is a painting by Théodore Géricault and was exhibited in 1818. It is a realistic depiction of the aftermath of a shipwreck in June 1816, when the French naval frigate "Méduse," carrying four hundred passengers, was wrecked off the coast of today's Mauritania. The painting is widely regarded as one of Géricault's masterpieces. It has been praised for its realistic depictions of the shipwreck and the characters and its powerful message about human vulnerability. One of the most striking features of the painting is the raft. It is made from pieces of wreckage and barely holds together, with exposed wood and ropes showing signs of strain. The raft symbolizes the passengers' fragile situation and fear of dying at sea. Question one The ship crashed because it was not properly maintained and because the captain was not experienced enough to navigate it safely. The ship was also overcrowded, which contributed to the disaster. The government was responsible for the crash because they were not properly funding the ship's maintenance. This prevented it from being in proper condition and contributed to its eventual demise. Some people got lifeboats because they could get off the ship quickly. Others ended up on the raft because there were not enough lifeboats available, and those that did have them didn't have enough food. Those on the raft did not know about the lifeboats, which urged people to get into them. They were on a raft with little food and water; their only hope of survival was in the water. The people who ended up on the raft were the least able to protect themselves and had the fewest options. This is because lifeboats are designed for people that can get off the ship quickly and have food. Those on the raft had less opportunity to escape and were at a greater risk of being killed or getting sick. Question two The black man at the top of the raft waving is called The Wanderer or the "Moses" figure. He is a heroic figure because he can survive despite being in a dangerous situation and has the strength to keep going. Gericault makes him a heroic figure because he is the only person on the raft who is not wearing a life jacket and has no food or water. This makes him stand out and make a strong statement about the human spirit. He can keep going even though he is in danger, showing that humans can overcome any obs...