The above picture is part of a series of nine photos on BBC News' website called "Photo journal, Tales of rape in DR Congo." As seen in the context of this website, the picture is the only image on the page, and it is accompanied by a short 100 word caption that describes the photo's background information. The subject matter of the photo includes a girl from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who is leaning up against a wall in what appears to be her home. Due to the bare walls, naked electrical wires and what appears to be a dirt floor, the home belongs to a lower-class family. In addition, although she is wearing a white shirt and jeans, one can assume that the girl is from the Dominican, as she is wearing beads on her wrist as well as a locally manufactured hat.Besides the girl's clothing and the condition of the building, there are also many gestures of the photo that depict various aspects of the situation. The girl is is not only leaning against the wall, but she is covering her face with her hand. This specific gesture makes it appear as though she is lonely, ashamed, depressed, etc. When transplanted into the context of the website, the title of the photo substantially increases this feeling, as the word rape emphasizes many of these connotations. Like the girl, the building behind her captures a certain quality or gesture in its primitive state. The shadows within the house created by a lack of lighting give the viewer a sense of unease. All of these combined elements, conditions, subject matter, and gestures culminate in an argument designed to make the viewer react in a particular manner. Personally, this photo makes me feel slightly depressed, and it makes me wonder how it is that peace is such a difficult concept to achieve. Since the depressive state of the girl and the dark, run-down state of the house work together in creating a sense of despair, it is easy for me to have this particular feeling. This, in turn, prompts me to think about the situation. Why did it happen? What is wrong in society that culminates in this scenario of rape?
