"With the Photographer" by Stephen Leacock

• "With the Photographer" is a humorous short story by Stephen Leacock, published in 1910.
• The story satirizes the author's experience of getting his photograph taken.
• The general theme is the absurdity and discomfort of posing for a formal portrait.

Plot Summary

• The narrator decides he needs a photograph taken.
• He enters a photographer's studio with some trepidation.
• The photographer is portrayed as a manipulative and critical figure.
• The photographer insists on making adjustments to the narrator's appearance.
• He manipulates the narrator's head and body position for optimal appearance.
• The narrator becomes increasingly uncomfortable and self-conscious.
• The photographer continually criticizes the narrator's features.
• The narrator begins to feel deeply insecure about his looks.
• After numerous attempts and much discomfort, the photographer declares he has a good picture.
• The narrator is asked to come back in a week to see the proofs.
• When he returns, the proofs are even more unflattering than he imagined.
• He initially hates all the proofs and considers not buying any.
• The photographer persuades him that one picture is acceptable.
• The narrator reluctantly agrees to purchase one copy.
• The photographer demands payment in advance.
• The narrator pays with a sense of dissatisfaction.
• The story concludes with the narrator reflecting on the ordeal.
• He decides that photographs never truly capture a person's essence.

Characters

• Narrator: An unnamed man who desires a photograph. He is self-conscious and easily swayed by the photographer's criticisms.
• Photographer: A critical, condescending, and manipulative individual. He is presented as an artist with an inflated ego.

Themes

• Vanity and Self-Perception: The story explores how easily one's self-image can be influenced by external opinions, especially regarding physical appearance.
• The Artifice of Photography: Leacock critiques the artificiality of posed portraits and questions their ability to capture genuine character.
• Social Critique: The story satirizes the commercialization of art and the power dynamics between artists and their clients.
• Humor and Exaggeration: Leacock uses exaggeration and irony to create a humorous and relatable narrative about an everyday experience.
• Appearance vs. Reality: The story suggests that photographs present a constructed reality, rather than a true representation of a person.
• Social Anxiety: The narrator's anxiety reflects a broader societal concern with appearances and conformity.

Satirical Elements

• Exaggeration: Exaggerated descriptions of the photographer's actions and the narrator's reactions amplify the humor.
• Irony: The contrast between the photographer's claims of artistic skill and the unflattering results is ironic.
• Incongruity: The incongruity between the narrator's expectations and the reality of the photo session contributes to the satirical tone.
• Mockery: The story mocks the conventions of portrait photography and the pretensions of artists.
• Understatement: Understated remarks by the narrator highlight the absurdity of the situation.

Leacock's Style

• Humorous: Leacock's writing is known for its wit and humor.
• Satirical: He uses satire to critique social norms and human behavior.
• First-Person Narration: The use of a first-person narrator allows readers to directly experience the narrator's thoughts and feelings.
• Exaggeration and Understatement: Leacock employs these techniques for comedic effect.
• Simple Language: His language is generally accessible and straightforward.
• Anecdotal: Leacock often uses anecdotal stories to illustrate his points.

Literary Devices

• Hyperbole: Exaggeration for emphasis or comic effect.
• Irony: The use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning.
• Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or ideas.
• Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as".
• Metaphor: A direct comparison without using "like" or "as".
• Allusion: A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art.

Critical Reception

• "With the Photographer" is one of Leacock's most popular and enduring short stories
• It is praised for its humor, satire, and relatable themes.
• The story is often included in anthologies of humorous writing.
• It continues to resonate with readers due to its insightful commentary on social conventions and human nature.

Relevance

• The themes explored in "With the Photographer" remain relevant today.
• The modern obsession with selfies and social media images echoes the story's critique of vanity and self-perception.
• The power dynamics between photographers and subjects continue to be a topic of discussion in contemporary society.
• The story prompts reflection on the nature of representation and the quest for authenticity in an image-driven world.
• The story's humor provides a timeless perspective on the foibles of human nature.

A summary of the short story "With the Photographer" by Stephen Leacock. The story is a humorous take on the experience of getting a photograph taken. It satirizes the discomfort and absurdity of posing for a formal portrait and dealing with a critical photographer.