In defense of Norman Rockwell

[james_davis_nicoll]

From a discussion of the American War! on! Christmas!:

But what she was really doing in the first instance, though, was standing up for America's aggrieved white Christians, a cohort that's watched in frustration as ethnic populations have grown in size and political power, causing Norman Rockwell's America to fade before their eyes.

Now it is true Rockwell's American includes scenes like this:




But not only is that a reference to FDR's Four Freedom's speech, Rockwell's America also included scenes like this:

Comments

[carbonel]

There's also the issue in my (admittedly limited) esperience, the turkey is seldom carved at the table, because it's a fairly messy process, and additional room is useful.

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

Carving at the table IS occasionally done, although, as you say, rarely. It's typically called "The Norman Rockwell Presentation."

I honestly don't know whether it was a thing that anybody did BEFORE this painting.

[abigail-n.livejournal.com]

My mother carves at the table but not on it. She has a cart that she uses to transport the turkey (or other large cuts of meat) from the kitchen, and she carves on it with an electric knife and serves from there.

Thanksgiving is already a pretty exotic experience for most of our Israeli guests, but this puts it over the top. Which I suspect is why she keeps doing it.