English Literature Gems Suggested for: Grade 10 | Humor | Prose Examination Posted by: English Mines Team
✨ Introduction
Welcome back to English Mines, where we dig deep into the finest pieces of English literature — stories that not only entertain, but make us think, laugh, and sometimes even look in the mirror.
Today’s gem is With the Photographer by the Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock — a short prose piece that turns a routine task (having your photograph taken) into a delightful comedy of errors. But beneath the humour lies a subtle message about identity, insecurity, and society’s obsession with looking “perfect.”
📷 A Visit That Took a Turn
The story is narrated by a man who simply wants his photo taken. He walks into a studio, expecting a quick, easy session. Instead, he finds himself at the mercy of a lifeless, stern photographer who barely looks at him — but has very strong opinions about how his face should look.
The result? His mouth is closed, then open, then closed again. His ears are criticized. His head is twisted. His lungs are expanded. Even his waist is "contracted"! And just when he’s about to protest — SNICK! — the photograph is taken.
When he returns to view the picture, he finds something shocking: it doesn’t look like him at all.
🎭 Humour Meets Satire
Stephen Leacock uses gentle humour and irony to show us how ridiculous the whole situation is. The photographer is so focused on improving the image that he forgets it’s supposed to look like a person. The result is funny — but also a bit sad.
“This is my face, the only one I have,” says the narrator, a line that strikes a deeper chord.
📱 A Modern Parallel
It’s fascinating to see how relevant this story is, even today. Just think about all the editing apps, beauty filters, and “ideal looks” that flood our screens. The pressure to look “perfect” in photos hasn’t gone away — it's just moved from the studio to social media.
Stephen Leacock’s story reminds us that it’s okay to look like ourselves — in fact, it’s something to be proud of.
📝 What Can Students Learn?
This story is a perfect resource for:
✅ Understanding satire and humour in literature
✅ Exploring themes like insecurity, perfectionism, and identity
✅ Observing how character and tone are built through dialogue
✅ Reflecting on contemporary issues like photo editing and self-image
🧠 Reflect and Discuss
Why does the narrator react so strongly to the changes in his photograph?
Do you think the photographer is doing his job or going too far?
How would this story play out in the age of selfies and Photoshop?
Why do you think we are uncomfortable with imperfection?
💬 Final Thought
In just a few pages, With the Photographer shows us how even the most ordinary moments can be full of humour, tension, and meaning. It's not just about a photo — it’s about how we see ourselves, and how others try to improve what doesn’t need fixing.
So the next time you’re in front of a camera, take a moment to appreciate the real you. Leacock certainly would have.
THEMATIC ANALYSIS
Thematic Analysis of "With the Photographer" by Stephen Leacock
Stephen Leacock’s short story "With the Photographer" humorously explores themes of insecurity, identity, and the nature of self-perception through the lens of a protagonist’s frustrating and comically absurd experience with a professional photographer. The story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed forty-year-old man, providing a deeply personal and subjective view of the events as they unfold.
Theme of Insecurity
From the beginning, the protagonist's insecurities are evident. The lengthy and painful wait, coupled with the outdated reading materials, sets a tone of discomfort and unease. The photographer’s clinical and unsympathetic demeanour exacerbates the protagonist’s sense of inadequacy. The protagonist’s internal monologue reveals a deep-seated insecurity about his appearance, which the photographer continuously critiques and attempts to alter. This relentless scrutiny magnifies the protagonist's insecurities, making the reader acutely aware of the vulnerability inherent in having one's image captured and judged.
Theme of Identity
The story delves into the conflict between one's self-perception and the perception imposed by others. The protagonist seeks a photograph that represents his true self, but the photographer's insistence on altering his features highlights a dissonance between the subject's identity and the photographer's vision of an idealized image. The photographer's actions—manipulating the protagonist's head, commenting negatively on his features, and finally, digitally altering the photograph—symbolize the external pressures to conform to societal standards of beauty and perfection. This clash illustrates the struggle for individuals to maintain their authentic identities in the face of external judgments and expectations.
Theme of Self-Perception vs. Reality
Leacock also addresses the broader issue of self-perception versus reality. The protagonist's humorous yet poignant defense of his face—"This face is my face. It is not yours, it is mine"—captures the essence of his struggle for self-acceptance. Despite acknowledging his flaws, the protagonist asserts his ownership of his appearance, which he has lived with and grown to accept over forty years. This statement underscores the personal journey toward self-acceptance and the recognition that one’s identity is more than skin deep.
Humor and Social Commentary
Leacock's use of humor serves as a vehicle for social commentary, particularly on the practices and attitudes within the photography profession. The exaggerated and absurd interactions between the protagonist and the photographer highlight the ridiculousness of extreme image manipulation. The photographer’s cold, mechanical approach and the protagonist's exaggerated reactions create a satirical portrayal of the lengths to which people—and photographers—will go to achieve a so-called 'perfect' image. This satire remains relevant today, where digital alteration and unrealistic beauty standards continue to influence self-perception and societal expectations.
Conclusion
In "With the Photographer," Stephen Leacock skillfully combines humor with a critical examination of insecurity, identity, and self-perception. The protagonist’s experience reflects a universal struggle with self-image and the pressure to conform to idealized standards. Through this narrative, Leacock invites readers to reflect on their own perceptions of identity and the impact of societal pressures, all while delivering a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Questions:
What prompts the protagonist to visit the photographer?
How does the photographer initially react to the protagonist's request for a photograph?
Describe the protagonist's experience while waiting in the photographer's studio.
What are some of the humorous observations made by the protagonist about the photographer's behaviour?
How does the photographer's demeanour change when he begins taking the photograph?
What are some of the absurd instructions the photographer gives the protagonist during the photoshoot?
How does the protagonist react when the photographer suggests manipulating his features?
What is the protagonist's emotional response when he sees the proof of the photograph?
How does the photographer justify altering the protagonist's appearance in the photograph?
What does the protagonist express about his desire for the photograph to reflect his true self?
How does the protagonist ultimately respond to the photographer's actions?
What is the significance of the protagonist's emotional outburst at the end of the story?
How does the story satirize societal norms regarding appearance and self-image?
What does the story suggest about the nature of identity and self-acceptance?
In what ways does the humour in the story serve to highlight deeper themes and critiques of society?
Answers:
What prompts the protagonist to visit the photographer?
The protagonist expresses his desire to have his photograph taken, initiating the visit to the photographer's studio.
How does the photographer initially react to the protagonist's request for a photograph?
The photographer responds without enthusiasm, reflecting his lack of interest in the protagonist's request.
Describe the protagonist's experience while waiting in the photographer's studio.
The protagonist spends his time waiting by reading outdated magazines and reflecting on the potential mistake of interrupting the photographer's work with his own appearance.
What are some of the humorous observations made by the protagonist about the photographer's behaviour?
The protagonist humorously describes the photographer's frantic actions to adjust the lighting and air in the studio, as well as his apparent prayers while inside the photography machine.
How does the photographer's demeanour change when he begins taking the photograph?
The photographer becomes more serious and critical, offering instructions and suggestions to the protagonist for posing and adjusting his features.
What are some of the absurd instructions the photographer gives the protagonist during the photoshoot?
The photographer instructs the protagonist to adjust his mouth, ears, eyes, posture, and even suggests altering his facial expressions and body shape.
How does the protagonist react when the photographer suggests manipulating his features?
The protagonist initially responds with enthusiasm, trying to find common ground with the photographer's suggestions, but eventually becomes frustrated and asserts his own identity.
What is the protagonist's emotional response when he sees the proof of the photograph?
The protagonist expresses uncertainty and disappointment upon seeing the proof of the photograph, questioning the accuracy of the depiction of his features.
How does the photographer justify altering the protagonist's appearance in the photograph?
The photographer justifies his alterations by claiming to have improved the features and aesthetics of the protagonist's appearance.
What does the protagonist express about his desire for the photograph to reflect his true self?
The protagonist emphasizes his desire for the photograph to represent his true appearance and identity, expressing disappointment at the photographer's alterations.
How does the protagonist ultimately respond to the photographer's actions?
The protagonist expresses frustration and disappointment, rejecting the photographer's alterations and asserting the value of his own appearance.
What is the significance of the protagonist's emotional outburst at the end of the story?
The protagonist's emotional outburst highlights the absurdity of the photographer's actions and serves as a critique of societal pressure to conform to unrealistic standards of beauty.
How does the story satirize societal norms regarding appearance and self-image?
The story satirizes societal norms by highlighting the absurdity of altering one's appearance to fit unrealistic standards and the pressure to conform to external expectations.
What does the story suggest about the nature of identity and self-acceptance?
The story suggests that true identity and self-acceptance come from embracing one's own features and rejecting external pressures to conform to unrealistic ideals.
In what ways does the humour in the story serve to highlight deeper themes and critiques of society?
The humour in the story serves to highlight the absurdity of societal norms surrounding appearance and self-image, while also providing a light-hearted yet thought-provoking critique of these norms.
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