Delphide Process in Photography Quiz

Questions and Answers

What was the author's reaction when he saw the retouched photograph?

He was delighted with the changes.

He asked the photographer to remove the retouching.

He was shocked and questioned if it was him. (correct)

He was indifferent to the changes.

The photographer used a process called 'the delphide' to remove the author's eyebrows.

True

What was the author's main complaint about the photograph?

The author was upset that the photograph did not resemble him and that the photographer had altered his appearance too drastically.

Stephen Leacock was known for his ______, often based on the incongruity between appearance and reality.

humour Signup and view all the answers

Match the following works by Stephen Leacock to their respective genres:

Literary Lapses = Humorous essays Nonsense Novels = Satirical fiction Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town = Humorous novel The Boy I Left Behind Me = Autobiography (uncompleted) Signup and view all the answers

What is the genre of the prose piece "With the Photographer" by Stephen Leacock?

Humorous Signup and view all the answers

The photographer in the story was very enthusiastic and friendly.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was the photographer constantly finding fault with in the story?

The author's face and physical appearance. Signup and view all the answers

The author had lived with his face for ______________ years.

forty Signup and view all the answers

Match the following phrases from the story with their meanings:

I want my photograph taken = The author is requesting to take a picture of himself The face is quite wrong = The photographer is dissatisfied with the author's facial expression This face is my face = The author is asserting his ownership and acceptance of his face Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of Stephen Leacock and His Work

Stephen Leacock (1869-1944) was an English-born Canadian writer, humorist, and teacher, known for his subtle humor.
He wrote many prose pieces that often reflect real-life situations with comic elements.
Notable works include "Literary Lapses" and "Nonsense Novels," focusing on social foibles and the disparity between appearance and reality.

Summary of "With the Photographer"

The story depicts Leacock’s disappointing experience at a photography studio, highlighting themes of humiliation and identity.
Leacock visits a photographer, seeking a personal photo, and faces an unenthusiastic reception from the gray-suited photographer.
After a long wait, Leacock poses for the photograph under natural light, but the photographer criticizes his appearance rigorously.
The photographer suggests multiple adjustments to Leacock's facial features, implying they are inadequate.
Feeling offended, Leacock asserts ownership of his face and challenges the photographer's negative comments.
Unbeknownst to him, the photographer captures a candid moment as Leacock reacts to the criticism.
Upon returning for the developed photograph, Leacock is shocked by the altered version of himself, which has been significantly retouched.
The photographer joyfully explains how he used a process to extensively modify Leacock’s image, erasing features like eyebrows and adjusting facial structure.
Frustrated with the alterations and the loss of his true self, Leacock vehemently rejects the photograph as worthless and leaves the studio in tears.

Themes in "With the Photographer"

The narrative explores the humiliation and emotional distress arising from unwanted criticism and judgment about one's appearance.
It addresses the issue of identity, as the protagonist struggles to reconcile his real self with the altered image presented by the photographer.
The story reflects on the expectations and pressures faced regarding personal image, especially in professional environments.