Wing Young Huie Response

Wing Young Huie - Waitress, The Diner, Lake Street USA (1997 - 2000)
URL:  http://tmblr.co/ZYwbvwO3YU8U

Waitress, The Diner by Wing Young Huie was published from 1997-2000 in Lake Street, USA.  Upon the first glance at this picture, it is obvious to see an older woman who works as a waitress at a seemingly old-time diner.  It can be observed that this woman is elderly based on her white-gray colored hair and hairstyle.  However, upon closer examination, it can be observed that this woman appears to be sad.  This is noticeable due to her body language of her head tilting down and not facing the camera.  In addition, the black and white color choice of this photograph may be construed to have the purpose of an older picture effect or to create a somber mood on the audience.

Wing Young Huie and Margaret Atwood present the concept of "othering" (classifying a group or an individual as different from oneself) in distinct ways.  For the image Waitress, The Diner, "othering" is shown by the subject's physical characteristics as well as the background details.  The woman looking away from the camera expresses her removal from the cohesion of a group or society whether it be her choice or others choosing to view her as separate from them.  In the back of the photograph it is shown that there is no one surrounding the woman, which can be viewed as Huie's choice to portray the woman as lonely or disparate from others. 

This contrasts Atwood's portrayal of "othering" greatly due to the difference in format of approach.  Whereas Huie's approach was a photograph, Atwood's is a dystopian fiction novel.  Within her book, The Handmaid's Tale, the main character, Offred, is presented as socially isolated by the new society of Gilead.  The limitations placed on Offred and the other Handmaids' actions such as not being allowed to read or write, force them into a life where they are only truly able to interact freely in their minds.  This is Atwood's way of presenting the "othering" of Offred by her society as she has no way of connecting with a group of people.