Functionally, this paper is either unneeded or undeserved. Given by the caption the image is very easily interpretable and could speak for itself without the need for a one thousand word essay. However, it is clearly evident by this image’s reception, most notably on the mediocre subreddit r/im14andthisisdeep, that these words were either best left unspoken or unheard. As a result I am writing this as a form of both exploration of the message this image conveys and an argumentation that this image can be extrapolated and described in one thousand words like the grammatically poor caption states, and in doing so, claiming the twenty dollar bounty put out by u/PSUED46. I will be covering four major components of the image to do so: first the literal events that is taking place in the photo, second the significance of the sullen two on the left, third the significance of the blossoming family on the right, and finally what the meaning this contrast is along with what it says about society and the modern human condition as a whole.

Like I emphasized before, it is impossible to fully and appropriately analyze this image without first interpolating the events within the photo at absolute face value. As such I have constructed my own interpretation of the events leading up to this piece and my reasoning for such an analysis. Let us start with the two on the left, it is clear that one is extremely old and almost invariably ill to some degree while the slightly younger man hold him seems to be comforting him while wearing tracksuits, the typical attire associated with financial hardship. On the contrary the family on the left has all members decently dressed and the parents are openly encouraging their son to spend time with them even with the small distraction of a cellular device. This is all taking place onboard a train most likely in the area between turkey and west china.

With the literal events summarized we can finally dig into the analysis of how these two potential families are living. As I have stated before the two on the left are dressed in trackwear which is cheap, comfortable, and durable albeit not very stylish. As such, along with the younger man’s choice in shoes being crocs, suggests that they have been riding this train for a long time. Potentially they live in a rural village where hospice is an expensive or unavailable commodity, and are therefore taking a train into a more urban area for the ill, aging father. As such it is reasonable to believe that these two are a dying father and a son who has chosen to take care of him rather than pursue furthering a career and setting himself up for future success. I think that is very noble of the younger man to see this frail old gentleman’s life through, limiting himself in the process.

However mere feet away the seed of new life is sprouting as a family with a single child appears to be quite happily watching a youtube video or playing some video game on the fathers phone. It is clear to me, given by their more formal attire, that this is a regular if not daily commute within two points inside the city. As such this could be a routine trip to school and then work ormore likely to a relatives house given the child is not in a school uniform which is more common in the theoretical place of capture. They seem to be a healthy family but still decide to take the train either because they cannot afford or do not need a car for transportation.

With both of these families taking the train I think this is a place where cars are still needed for added convenience however are not a hardline necessity like some places in the US. As such It is reasonable to interpret these families going through very different points in life while still being dealt a similar hand. As one family has a new life coming in and the other has an old one on its way out. However it is also noted that they are two families fulfilling obligations to their kin and taking care of those who cannot take care of themselves even if they struggle to do so. And like I have stated before this is a fundamental component of the human condition, managing obligations and doing well on promises even if you do not want to or hardly can without stretching your time, resources, and energy so thin that your world threatens to come crashing down on you is a fundamental part of life that everyone will experience at some point in their lives, whether it be a child, aging parent, or even the mundanity of merely getting started and living in today’s society as I am. I do not think that people or society as a whole gives enough time, respect, or consideration to people at this point in their lives. We often prefer to be rude, dismissive, or outright threatening of those in this place as we believe we have power over them. But as you get old you will realize that the same dismissal you have given to others in their time of need will be reverted back onto you as you will eventually be completely alone when your life becomes more difficult than expected. And when that time comes you can either choose to reject it, let the world crush you and live the rest of your life as a lame tumbleweed that is at the mercy of the cosmic wind; on the other had you can accept it fully, answer the call of duty and learn from it quite possibly discovering your humanity as a result.

With these one thousand words I will take my leave. And as such with the caption ultimately proven and fulfilled, I expect my twenty dollars either in Tether or Venmo.