Woman Waiting to Take a Photograph

Woman Waiting to Take a Photograph

by David Eggers

A series of answers in response to the questions posed by said work. 

1. The time frame of the story seems to be contemporary, given it’s references to the character’s Toyota Camry and other details.                                                                                                      
2. The text implies that photography, as well as most forms are art in general, have a dark side. The ending is what makes this point clear. A noble cause for her photography of the poor is never mentioned. Only the action of taking the photo and it’s future in a private collection, signifying that the photographer is the only one that benefits.                                                        
3. The author’s attitude comes off as a bit cynical toward the woman. He mentions that not only is she a woman, but a YOUNG woman. She wants to make a living as a photographer, and that is her only mentioned goal. Im not sure it has so much to do with gender but with her age that he finds tragedy.                                                                                                                                    
4. “Go-Getters” are not the clientele they cater to. “Go-Getters” are the rich, the sucessful, the elite. Those who have gone and gotten it. “It” being the american dream for lack of a better definition. The young woman is in fact a “Go-Getter” by exploiting the slums where she has found herself in by photographing them, satisfying her ego.                                                           
5. The final sentence brings the ideas together that photograph will not in any way help the lower class. It will enhance the reputation of the photographer who has used them to reach the top.      
6. The idea emerges that the young woman’s photograph hasn’t enough heart to be anything more than a what it is. A photograph. A record proving that she took a picture and made her living. It is with great cynicism from the author’s point of view that she has accomplished her goal.