American Gothic

Based on some of the ideas that Molly Bang talks about interpreting images I think there is much to be interpreted about the painting American Gothic. Like all works of art, American Gothic can be interpreted in many ways. One point Bang discusses is the top part of an image and how that can express spirituality. The house in the background of the picture, to me, looks like a church. The steeple is placed almost exactly in the middle of the two heads, which could represent their ideas. The window reminds me of a church window and it is point upward towards the sky.
The colors of the painting are also subdued. They are not bright, bold, or overbearing. There is a simplicity to the colors which may reflect the simplicity and subdued nature of the people.
The two people in the picture also look like their married. I say this, because of the predominant ideas of gender roles in marriage during this period of time. These ideas have changed somewhat today, but were much more rigid then. The woman looks submissive. She is not looking directly out of the picture. Her gaze is averted; maybe to her husband. She is also standing behind him suggesting that she looks to him for leadership. The man is taking up much of the picture. He is staring directly out of the picture with little regard for the woman behind him suggesting confidence, dominance, and leadership. He is also holding a pitchfork. This could suggest that he does the hard labor, so he carries the tool. However, a pitchfork could also be a weapon. The couple could represent simple, god-fearing country folk who are hard workers, but are also very protective of what they've got. They will fight to keep it.