Brief Summary - With the Photographer

● In With the Photographer by Stephen Leacock we have the themes of

insecurity, anger, appearance, confidence, acceptance and control. Narrated
in the first person by an unnamed forty year old man the reader realises from
the beginning of the story that Leacock may be exploring the theme of
insecurity.
● The narrator, while sitting in the photographer’s studio, begins to read some
magazines. It is through his reading of the magazines and seeing how other
people look that the narrator begins to feel insecure about his appearance.
● This may be important as Leacock could be suggesting that the narrator is
unrealistically comparing himself to professional models. People who have
had make-up applied, proper lighting and clothing prior to their photograph
being taken. If anything the magazines make the narrator insecure when the
reality is there is no need for him to be.
● It is also noticeable that the photographer takes a dislike to the narrator’s
appearance (his face) judging it to be wrong. This too may be important as it
suggests that there is a standard being set by the photographer and that the
narrator because of how he physically looks does not meet that standard. Just
as there are comparisons being made by the narrator to the people he sees in
the magazines. Likewise the photographer is making comparisons or judging
the narrator solely on his appearance.
● It is also noticeable that the narrator begins to do as he is instructed by the
photographer. What should have been a simple process of taking a
photograph becomes something of a nightmare for the narrator. If anything
the photographer is attempting to change the narrator and mould his image
into something that pleases his eye rather than accepting what is real.
● That being how the narrator actually looks. It is also interesting that at first
the narrator agrees with everything that the photographer says and this
would further suggest that Leacock is exploring the theme of insecurity. It is
as though the narrator lacks the confidence to stand up for himself and tell
the photographer that he is unhappy with the route that is being taken by the
photographer. However the narrator does begin to become more confident as
he begins to realise how ridiculous the photographer’s requests are. It is only
 after losing his confidence and then regaining it that the narrator ends up
standing up for himself.
● How confident the narrator becomes is noticeable when he returns to the
photographer’s studio the following Saturday. He realises that the
photograph that has been taken of him looks nothing like him. This angers
the narrator as he was simply looking for a photograph that would show his
likeness and nothing more.
● He accepts that he may not be to everybody’s liking when it comes to his
physical appearance but is angered by the changes made by the
photographer. The photographer has retouched the photograph so much that
the narrator does not recognise himself. If anything many readers might
suggest that the photographer is working on a template that he deems
acceptable. Unfortunately the photographer’s template is not pleasing to the
narrator nor should it be.
● Without directly saying it to the narrator the photographer by retouching the
photograph is suggesting that the narrator does not meet the requirements
that he thinks are required on how a man should look. If anything the
photographer is attempting to push his perception of beauty onto the
narrator. Something that further angers the narrator. It is as though the
narrator is in shock however he does not let go of his anger telling the
photographer to keep the photograph.
● The end of the story is also interesting as the reader realises just how upset
the narrator is when he begins to cry. It is as though the narrator knows that
he is fighting a losing battle.
● He has been judged solely by his appearance by the photographer whose job
was to simply take a life like photograph. Something because of his belief
system in how a man should look. He was unable to do so. It might also be a
case that Leacock is suggesting that at the time the story was written men
and women had very little control.
● At no stage does the narrator persuade (convince) the photographer that he
just wants a photograph that looks like him. The photographer is more
interested in retouching the photograph than listening to the narrator. This
may be important as Leacock could be attempting to highlight the fact that
the photographer is not allowing the narrator a voice. In reality the narrator’s
tears could be due to the fact that not only is he angry with the photographer
but he may also be frustrated. Throughout the story the narrator has been
judged by the photographer based solely on his appearance.