northern lights....

 

as you may already  know, i have just been on a three week workshop "marathon" taking me from Mexico to Norway...i am used to "changes in latitude", but this was particularly extreme...the one thing common to both "extremes" was good old fashioned hospitality with both cultures vying for the title of "friendliest"...i will not choose...i cannot choose....

the above "group shot" ( by Kim Nygård) is a loose assemblage of our Magnum crowd in Oslo during our workshop/seminar final evening (or , was it the night before?)....sorry, but my memory is not one of the by-products of cultural  hospitality!!....in any case, since it is no small task just to gather our disparate  group of photogs for a lunch meeting, it is a minor miracle that so many showed up in Oslo to spend time with emerging photographers who came from all over the world....this was  our first attempt at a group Magnum workshop...hopefully, what happened in Oslo will not stay in Oslo...

Alessandra Sanguinetti, Jacob Sobol, Chris Anderson, Alex and Rebecca Webb, Paolo Pellegrin, Chien Chi-Chang, Richard Kalvar, Chris Steele-Perkins, Jonas Bendiksen, and yours truly, all either taught one week workshops or gave an evening lecture...Jonas and his lovely bride Laara (above left center) made all of this "happen" for us..the Norwegian Press Photographers Association was our host...the Bilder Nordic School of Photography lent us their classrooms....many many thanks to all ....

one of the "surprises" for those of us who came from Magnum, was how much we were "sparked" by seeing each other's work presented in such an open forum...of course, we know the photographs and the books..but, all of us commented on the pleasure of seeing each other's  presentations...to find out things we did not even know about individual motivations and purpose...we all make presentations from time to time, but usually not in front of each other....so, we learned as much as our "students"....often, when we are gathered , we are weathering long sleepy business meetings...totally necessary, but not creatively enlightening...

now, certainly our only reason for being in Oslo was to view and critique and encourage and celebrate  the work of  emerging photographers who came for our workshop....to help them develop essays and stories and to move them "forward"  in a way that made sense for each of them as "authors"....you will see the work from many of these photographers published here under "Student Work.." as soon as i can get my hands on it...

but for the moment, i am only showing you this "group shot".....and "group shots" are definitely  a phenomenon in and of themselves...whenever serious photographers are gathered, and the kind of serious photographers who would normally not be caught dead taking a "group shot" , someone always wants to take one!!!  at every National Geographic gathering, or Magnum gathering or any gathering of photo  "professionals" , in the aura of event "grand finale" we inevitably take a "group shot"....as a matter of fact, with all of the really incisive pictures coming in from my students each week during a workshop, one of the "musts" is a  "group shot" of our class....

why do you think all of us seem to  love "group shots"??  is it because just "remembering something special" is still  the ultimate reward of photography??  or, is it just simple "evidence"  or "proof" that we were actually all together at one time, in one place???

                           

http://www.davidalanharvey.com

Comments

[Michael Rawcliffe]

Glad you enjoyed Oslo David, I have attended a Magnum presentation / slideshow of group work at Bradford, England and I always rate the work of Magnum. I think it's the decision to cover stories in-depth and long-term that give Magnum the edge.

As for group photographs, I suppose that the ultimate group photograph is the wedding group showing all of the assembled guests. Evidence of our existence? Possibly.
One of my favorite group photographs is of the Annual Magnum Meeting in Paris, 1988: where most of of the participants cover their faces; taken by Elliott Erwitt.

Also we, as a race, like to explore the human face in all its guises and a group shows lots of faces! Perhaps it's a "Family of Man" thing?

Best to all,

Mike.

[Paul Lindsay]

Hey David, Paul here. Well I lost you somewhere outside that Russian night club. I stayed there until the end when they through me out, and i got a whole another story shot! Anyway I just want to say what an incredible week it was and a big thank you for your time and immense inspiration!
Talk soon! peace and love!
Paul

[Paul Lindsay]

well of course that would be 'threw'

[Eric Espinosa]

David,
Nice group photograph of you all! You all look pretty serious with one exception of someone messing around on the left. Wonder who that is :):):) Well, as usual, I am always somewhat envious to see the amount of taveling that you do even if I could not cope with the amount... I am myself now finally heading at the end of the week to Antigua for the processions. I will be spending there about 10 days...I know that you know Guatemala well. I hope to really work hard there and hopefully bring back a good essay that I would love to show you. Will try to put it on the site that I have just created so hopefully you will get a chance to look at it and let me know what you think. Are you planning to now go to Sicily again this year or are you now done for a while? Cheers, Eric

[bobblack]

DAVID:

for a young man who's just galloped from one end of the globe (viva m) to the other (oslo door hangles), you look damn rejeuvinated! :)))...christ, Jonas looks older that you ;))))))))...and laara looks like a young liv ulmann! :)))....

ok, the group pic:

why?...i think (for me at least) its a bit of a moment that opposite of our own photography: a relaxation away from photography and yet, just a lovely, fun memory...

and for our kids and grandkids to see how once young and lovely we all were ;)))))...

welcome "home" ;))

hugs

running
bob

p.s. i hope LAARA showed some pics too :))

[david alan harvey]

MIKE...

yes, i suppose the wedding group shot is the "ultimate" in group shots...no matter how many "photojournalistic" candids are taken, people always gravitate back to the group shot...

i too love that 1988 Magnum group shot...i was actually there when that was taken, but not a member of Magnum at the time...classic...

PAUL...

well, you may have been thrown out of the Russian night club, but i could not even get in!!! or rather, i did not want to wait in that long line..particularly since my flight back to New York was just a few hours away...by the way, my theory of "sleeping on the plane" evaporated on that particular flight, since the plane was chock full of Norwegians heading for a corporate vacation in Miami...i mean, they had a party the whole way....the flight attendent told me she had never quite seen a party like that on the plane and being drunk must not be a prerequiste as far as U.S. immigration officers are concerned!!!

i really liked the work you did and will publish it here soonest...i am just waiting for Ellen to send the files to me...

wishing to see you again soonest amigo...

ERIC...

you will totally fall in love with Guatamala...at least, most of it...and Antigua is special...but, try to get way up into the highlands if you can...

i cancelled my Sicily workshops because i really need to get out on the road shooting....i do not want to lose the "balance" between shooting/teaching...otherwise , i will have nothing to "teach"!! by the way, i could be coming through Ohio in my travels driving/photographing across the country...please stay in touch....

safe travels and good shooting to you...

cheers, david

[david alan harvey]

BOB...

i have seen Laara's work, but she did not present in Oslo...that woman was busy busy busy making it all "come together"...

ok, my friend, i will be in and around New York for at least the next two weeks...any chance you will come down??? we have delayed our meeting long enough....

abrazos, david

[David McGowan]

Funny - today I just found some group shots that I actually like...

http://superhyperreal.com/newmain.html

[Jarle Kavli Jørgensen]

hey David,

A great big thanks to yourself and the rest of the Magnum crew for presenting your works during the Dok08 in Oslo. This was a great inspiration. Unfortunately, my wallet did not allow me to attend any workshops, but hopefully this will change in the future. Check for some more dok08 photos:
http://www.fotojournalisten.com/index.php?go=artikkel&kat=13&id=2034

with regards to group shots, i think they are nice to bring back memories of the time that took place around and during when the shot was taken. it is a nice "proof" but the memories behind it, is what i enjoy.

all best,

jarle

[Paul Lindsay]

David I think wherever you are there's a party! ...Except on Canadian railroads!

By the way anyone on Facebook search for 'Magnum Workshops Oslo 2008' maybe something will happen with that.

Paul

[Oliver Berner]

concerning the group shot philosophy :

i think it is much more than proof or evidence, it´s more like a certificate , like the ones you get, when you participate, let´s say in a marathon. Having made it should be enough for you and even if you are totally aware of that, of what you have performed, you dont go home without it. you queue up to get yours.
you have the same opinion than the guy standing before you : "just a piece of paper" - "yeah, man, main thing is to have made it". (not that i ever have run a 42km distance, nor have ever been on a group shot and was only forced one time to take a group shot.) you must not frame it and hang it on the wall, but you like it, when it is in your drawer. When you move house and go through all that old stuff you find it again. it has moved to a box in the cellar over the time. you smile and put it in the drawer again. the certificate has become a recollection. if it does not mean anything to you anymore, you throw it away. Nobodys going to miss it then.
you can show them to your friends- especially when they are not photographers- "look at the guys and girls from xxx, this, on the left was a funny one-great time". no further explanation needed.
show them the other pictures and the comments may start - "isnt the face a little dark ?" ( i do NOT speak about my own experiences, of course)

but thats all from someone who, i said it, is mostly not asked to be on a group shot, so it may be all bitterness and not to be taken to seriously.

cheers, olli

[Oliver Berner]

hope i had looked up the right words. my english is not that fluent anymore and i do nut trust the online-translator that much. so if there is anything you do not agree with blame that machine.

cheers olli

[Jarle Kavli Jørgensen]

Norwegians, or should i say, Scandinavians love to party it up on planes (free drinks), especially, going on a charter, ski or some other exotic holiday or vacation, as a group.

[Eric Espinosa]

David,
It would be great for you to stop in Ohio. As you know, you have a place to stay, a room and a bed under a real roof!!!! I hope to see you soonest! Eric

[Herve]

Well, maybe a group shot is about the only time photography is not about self-portrait, and it serves the only purpose of photography for 999% of people.

There is something refreshingly unpretentious about that, especially in unarranged ones, where all sense of any type of hierarchy/importance and self-consciousness is absent (you all look like students in this one, with maybe a bit of teach' about you, David!).

I would even add, that this is, maybe, the only "discipline" in the craft where the unskilled, vacationeer, beat the professional and "famed" flat out, anytime, for genuineness and "truth".

[Suzanne Liem]

Hi David,

Never found you in the noisy Russian club, but still want to thank you for your inspiration last week! Won't forget this incredible week in Oslo.

Keep in touch!
Regards,
Suzanne

[Oliver Berner]

but herve,

can a group photo not be more self portrait than any others ?
i think about the different approach. -"OKAY EVERYBODY, NOW FOR THE GROUP SHOT - YOU THERE, A LITTLE MORE TO THE LEFT - THE MAN ON THE LEFT STOP JOKING AND LOOK AT ME!! THIS IS FOR ETERNITY"
, or you just click away. is your angle high, so you can look down on the others, do you have the ugly cupboard in your frame?

there may be no way out on taking a self portrait, isnt that a shame ? :-)

[Oliver Berner]

but the most annoying thing about group shots is, that they were not taken in russian night clubs, i guess. :-))

[bobblack]

DAVID:

will be in Montreal next week for our wedding anniversary and week of april 6th, will be in charlotte, NC...

the plan is to come again in May (we were in the city over christmas but didnt see anybody 'cause u werent around)...

havent planned yet about look3 (since we're going to france august/sept, the budget is limited, so trying to figure out travel now), but if I (we) go, i want to drink w/u before an event like that (since im not usually very good at large group festival things ;))) )....

too too long...especially since like many of our friends always meet, instead of us ;))..

hugs

running
b

[Kelly Lynn James]

Just curious... who took the picture?

I see the group shot as "proof". A point in time. A stake in the ground. Like carving " were hear" on a park bench. You go back later and say "Hey, look at that. Remember that?" We take a group shot when we are aware that things will never be this exact way again and we want to remember.

[Kelly Lynn James]

That should have said.. "Like carving "We were here" on a park bench."

[Eric Espinosa]

Bob, where about in France are you heading? I will be there as well at about the same time...Might even try to make a stop in Perpignan early Sept if I can fit this in. Let me know where you will be and who knows, might get a chance as well to meet the man behind the "writing"....Cheers, Eric

[erica mcdonald]

Welcome back!

I hope to see you in the next two weeks..

Group shots, and that is indeed a good one..I find illuminating because they work with the Gestalt principle, as in "an organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts"..you get relationship and dynamic that provides information that otherwise would have been unknown. Sort of like the meditating man in the cave is in one state of being, but when he comes into the world is faced with other levels of circumstance which bring forth all kinds of unexpected unknowns about the man himself, which may very well urge him back to the cave to reexamine Self.

[Marcin luczkowski]

If exist reason why I could be a part of magnum, it is pictures like above... group of people who live with passion and sometimes meet other pepole who live with passion... like in big family... famili of best photographers who work I admire and they are admire and influence each other...
have I mentioned David how lucky you are?

[david alan harvey]

DAVID MCGOWAN...

yes, i like those too....

OLIVER...

if you visit me, we will find a group shot for you to be in!!!

BOB...

surely when we meet it will be with just us...large group no....hmmmm may...well, i think i will be out on the road shooting on my project...but somehow we will work it out....by the way, we will pick a photograph for Mercy Project this week...is this for book repro only or for a print also???

KELLY....

of course, i wanted to credit the photographer , but i have no idea who it was...there were about a dozen photogs shooting the same scene and my assistant in Oslo just emailed me the picture...as soon as i find out, i will give due credit...when do i see you guys?? i am in New York for the next two weeks...please stop by....

ERICA...

your friend Jonathan was in my class...nice guy, good attitude...new photog , but moving forward well....

i am always headed back to the cave to re--examine Self!!!

let's get together soonest....

cheers, david

[Jarle Kavli Jørgensen]

the photographer of the group photo taken in Norway is: Kim Nygård

more photos of dok08 can be seen here:

http://www.fotojournalisten.com/index.php?go=artikkel&kat=13&id=2034

[laara matsen]

Hi David...

We miss you already over here in Oslo...what a great week!

The photographer who took the group shot is Kim Nygård.

xolaara

[panos skoulidas]

Daviiiid!
what up dawggggggggg!!!!!!!!!
I can't write more this sec...
I'm on that horse called " freeway"
see you soon
peace
driving
panos

[Bob Black]

DAVID:

I believe (but not 100%) the pic is for book, initial pic (low resolution/dpi) is for the mock-up and they'll need bigger resolution for actual book later...i dont know, but am guessing at some point idea of exhibition would be a part.....but just guessing...as for meeting up, yes, just us (with marina), or small...lots ot drink or share too...i'll make it happen somehow...u give me ur road schedule and see if we can work it out..

ERIC: a bunch of places...Perpignan may be part, but i've sworn off the place, as im not that keen (ever) about big festival things;)), will be in paris and marseilles and a small town on the West coast (where my friend, the great photographer Idalina Pedrosa, lives)....would love to meet up..."the man behind the writing" ;'))...sounds intriguing: who's he? ;))....man behind the pics too ;))....it would be wonderful to meet :))

cheers
running

b

[Sidney Atkins]

The obligatory group shot is probably more deeply entrenched in Japan than any other country. It used to drive me crazy when I lived there. They are all so extremely formularized, so predictable, I used to think, what is the point? Now, I'm actually glad that I still have some of them as historical documents or reminders. Of course there's the 'certification' or 'evidence' aspect to them, but there's something more. If you read biographies, and I've read a lot, in the photos showing someone's life sooner or later there's always a group shot and it really helps to put that individual's life in the context of their times and their peers. In the West we are obsessed with individualism and see personal trajectories in life as unique and autonomous... and as the years go by I see that more and more as a delusion. If you look through your collection of snapshots, you'll probably see a very highly selected 'rogues' gallery' of people you once knew... mostly those you noticed, you were friendly with, those who were attractive or lively... but the group photo is a reminder that the 'separate individuals' were all together, at least at one time and place, and shared a space and an experience, maybe a mission even... all breathed the same air... even the quiet ones, the not-so-noticeable ones, the not-so-attractive ones, the ones we didn't really like.. so besides being a historical document, maybe it's a useful antidote to the egotism we are all guilty of in selectively reconstructing our pasts visually, and a reminder that we are all really part of larger things than just ourselves... a social ecology, a generation, a school or company, a profession.

Sidney

[david alan harvey]

LAARA, JARLE...

thanks to both of you for the photog credit...i got so so used to hanging out with all of you...missing the whole deal....my first trip to Norway will not be my last...

PANOS...

keep both hands on the wheel!! unless , of course, you just absolutely HAVE to take a picture....

i want to see your snoop work..i would love to have helped you edit had i been around....

peace, david

[Oliver Berner]

DAVID

thanks. would be glad to have that one day. not so much to bring it home, than to make it.

[marcin luczkowski]

David

you have written you will working next 8 weeks in NY... Some new assignment? or self assignment?
something exiting or just job?

[evan]

I think the group photo more than anything conveys a sense of achievement for the person(s) who want the photo. It is a source of pride to them as they can not only use it to remember a point in time that is important to them but also to possibly "show off" to others what they have done or accomplished.

This is why I think that graduation photos are the ultimate group photo. It documents a certain period in time and declares achievement. Actually the photo that David has included in this entry is a graduation photo.

Family group photos also have that sense of declaring achievement I think. Holiday cards with the token family group photo at the beach or at some vacation spot are the best examples of this. Nothing wrong with it at all, it just means more to some people than to others.

On a side note to Jarle or to anyone else who might be able to answer this: Jarle mentioned that Scandinavians love to party it up and go on vacations as a group and often to exotic locations. Why is that I always meet so many more Swedish people in my travels than Norwegians and Danish? The combined populations of Norway and Denmark is I think equal if not more than that of Sweden yet I see and meet a ridiculously larger amount of Swedish. While in Thailand last month I heard many times a rumored statistic that at any day of the year in Thailand there will be 25,000 Swedes in the country. I don't know if that's true but I sure as hell did meet a ton of Swedes, very few Danish, and zero Norwegians.

[panos skoulidas]

Let me pullover for a sec...
ok... Thanks to YOU David , I already got lots
of help on the SNOOP work (edit wise)...
Already MARCIN, MICHAEL K, OLLI or OLIVER...
and few more friends... Helped and still helping out!!!!!
Now, that's friends!!!
Thats the DAH spirit ...!!!!!
you created all that David...
Powerfull community...
Im proud being. DAH soldier ,
serving the DAH " army"...
peace...
oh, ohhhh a black and white behind my ass...
shiiiiiiiiit!

[Martn B.]

It reminds me of an anecdote... (If I may, I’ve been lurking since day two)

September 2001, Visa pour l’image, Perpignan, France.
We had met at the youth hostel, (if photogs are poor, emerging photogs are poorer), 1 Belgian, 2 Polish and a Canadian (me). Had spent the pro week together, going around the parties, meeting people, informal PR, etc. End of the week, it was time to part, to go our separate ways; planes and trains. We had to take a group shot of ourselves, new photog friends.
-Ok, there, in front of the Visa pour l’image logo! Euh...Excuse me sir, would you mind taking our picture?
- Sure, no problem.
Clic!
- Thanks! (in unison) ....
The tall man gives the camera back, leaves.
....Hey, that was David Alan Harvey... D.A.H took our group shot! Cooool!

So now, each of us has a fine group shot taken by D.A.H. at Visa pour l’image in 2001.

That wrapped up our week beautifully.

[Herve]

Evan, about Swedes in Thailand (and brits and germans!). I remember that "60minutes" series 2 weeks ago on how the danes constantly top the "happiest, most contented" nationa in the world.

The few Swedes I met in Thailand don't seem happy about their country (and quite many roguish elements amongst them). Likewise with the english and americans sojourning in Thailand, it always seems thailand vs wretched life in their country.

Thailand has always attracted people not too happy with the conditions in their lives, though in the end, it's only themselves they were trying to flee from, and give them enough time (and rope!) and their selves will catch up with them, anywhere they go. True! :-)

Oliver, you are right. group portrait is self-portrait too, and how! I probably meant it in the sense of a self-conscious attempt.

[Martin Brink]

Evan,
Why you see all these swedish people in Thailand is because it's probably by far the most ordinary charter travel destination for us, allthough being far away. The tsunami was therefore a big tragedy for Sweden.
I haven't been to Thailand though and it doesn't tempt me because it's so mainstream and touristy, especielly if you're a swede I guess.

Cheers

[Jarle Kavli Jørgensen]

DAVID
glad you enjoyed Norway, and hope you get to see more parts of this varied country next time.

EVAN
you are right, according to 2007 estimates, there are about 9,3 mill swedes, 5,4 mill danes, and 4,7 mill norwegians.
i am not sure how i can answer your question, as to why you meet more swedes than danes and norwegians. being a norwegian myself, we love to travel and explore the planet.
i know there are locations in thailand and other places around the world that lots of norwegians travel to, and spend months or weeks there. but why you don't see them or any danes, and only the swedes, is strange. can be that the swedes are louder ;) but at the same time, a crowd of norwegians can be just as rowdy. but since there are almost the double of swedes compared to norwegians, you would almost expect to see more swedes than norwegians.

[Herve]

Martin, I see your excellent site, where you draw much essence from the mundane, and by gosh, for that very reason, I think you would like Thailand a lot, for its unexotic or average exotism, yet tickling you enough to make you wonder if that is all there is, and scractch a little the surface veneer.

And that's where being a photographer like you, comes in handy! ;-)

[David McGowan]

David - be sure and schedule a stop in Michigan - we can do a Nature and Economic Turmoil Tour.

[BobBlack]

DAVID AND COMPANY:

about to disappear for a few hours to finish up a writing project i promised Rene, and due to both family and photography issues this week, im a week late (sorry rene, coming, patience), and have shooting and then walking and returning home to finish a novel i was reading (Denis Johnson's ANGELS), I swallowed the ending, with a jolt...thinking, too, also about Oslo, the workshop, the blog, friends scattered here and there, David's homelessness, my family, negatives drying or collecting dust, silence, waiting, just this...

the ending, for you all...seems so important and honest too about this blog and the entirety of our lives...prisoners or escapees, hardened or otherwise...

running/disappearing...

bob
=============================================
"It was Fredericks' understanding that the prisoners had a story:

that each night for months, at nine precisely, a light had burned in a window in the town, where the men on one cellblock's upper tier could see it and wonder, and imagine, each one, that it shone for him alone. But that was just a story, something that people will tell themselves, something to pass the time it takes for the violence inside a man to wear him away, or to be consumed itself, depending on who is the candle and who is the light."
--Denis Johnson, ANGELS

[david alan harvey]

MARCIN...

i will stay two or three weeks in New York and then i head off for what will probably be at least a one year project..maybe two....but i have cancelled most of my "normal activities" and plan to spend the next two months shooting to get my mind in the right place and see how it goes...i plan to drive across the U.S. on a real "road trip"....i will give you the details soonest...

EVAN...

yes, i can see group graduation photos being in almost the same category as wedding photos..."new era" significance for sure....

i am curious about the Swedes in Thailand too..someone will have the answer...

MARTIN B.

really?? sometimes i do get asked, usually by tourists, to take a photo...i suppose that happens to all of us...but, i do not remember the event you describe...was the picture at least sharp???

HERVE....

i never thought of Thailand attracting unhappy people.....hmmmm, i gotta think on that one....

PANOS...

well, you made me laugh out loud!!!

i am only sorry i did not get to take a look at snoop work ..or , is it too late??? i will go back to the previous post and see if i can find the link...

ALL...

back soonest...early sleep tonight...will catch up tomorrow.....

cheers, david

[Martin Brink]

HERVE,
Thanks! Maybe you're right :)

[Rafal Pruszynski]

Am I the only one who absolutely doesnt like group shots? Welcome back David. You missed a good discussion on style in the previous thread.

[Herve]

About the Swedes, and others, I meant it not about tourism (the place is an easy holyday choice for the entire region, a no-brainer for cheap sunny budget tropical vacation, with friendly locals), but repeat tourists to Thailand, and "expats". I have a friend who stays in a village, north east of Thailand, with his wife every winter, and has little to say about Sweden, save being the place where he makes his money to live elsewhere ASAP.

Few people travel around Thailand. For most, there are very specific reasons and places why they go (sex, beach, trekking) and rarely depart from those goals, trip after trip.

Though everyone gets the basics of the thais outlook on life, I should say. Namely "Mai pen rai" and "sanook" (tr.: keep cool and have fun). It's a combination hard to resist and an easy one to explain to 24 999 other swedes, after all! :-)

[Rafal Pruszynski]

An American Road trip David? Sounds like a nice plan. How do you deal with the Robert Frank problem?:)

[Panos Skoulidas]

HERVE,
IF you continue talking about THAILAND,
i will eventually make myself move there...
How about YOU show US a series of PHOTOS of Thailand????
God damn...!

RAFAL, not to agree, just to agre, but i agree with you...
Fuck GROUP SHOTS...
sorry DAH but i could care less about this "group shot anxiety"...question..lol
Nice shot for a canon5D though at 1000 ISO... canon, hmmmm...
peace

[Panos Skoulidas]

DAVID SAID ABOVE: somewhere

"...HERVE....

i never thought of Thailand attracting unhappy people.....hmmmm, i gotta think on that one...."

Herve is that true???

[Herve]

Well, it does attract some great guys, Panos, like me, david, and a few others I am sure.

Seriously, My positives about Thailand clearly respond to my own positive outlook on life. Yet, I find for many I met, it provides stuff they can't have or get at home, and I don't necessarily mean sex or a young wife.

In that sense, It does indeed respond to a negative in their lives as lived back home.