“Freedom of Speech”, Norman Rockwell, 1943
It’s the early 1940’s in small-town New England, and a man stands to address a public meeting. We don’t know the point he is making, but he is clearly confident in what he has to say and in his right to say it. His rough clothing cannot conceal a certain (Lincolnesque?) nobility in his stature, and although they mark him out from the other - more smartly dressed - people around him, that is of no consequence. Everybody is hanging on his every word, giving him their full attention and respect.
This painting, by the American artist and illustrator Norman Rockwell, is one of a series he produced in response, to, and inspired by, a speech by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In early 1941, with war sweeping through other parts of the world, and atrocities being committed in Nazi Germany and the Far East, the President faced a major challenge. Isolationist sentiment still held sway over many in the United States. How could he convince voters that standing alone could ultimately sacrifice freedoms both abroad and at home?
In his 1941 State of the Union address the President argued passionately that U.S. policy should change. He described four fundamental freedoms that everybody in the world should enjoy, and which were under direct threat; Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear.
Rockwell was inspired by this speech to produce a series of four “freedom” paintings, which probably now stand as his most famous works. This one, Freedom of Speech, is probably my favourite.
Rockwell was a regular illustrator for the popular “Saturday Evening Post” magazine and the four “freedom” paintings were published on consecutive weeks during the winter of 1943 (by which time the USA had entered the war). They were an instant hit and were reprinted as posters sold as part of the war effort, helping to raise huge sums of money. The New Yorker magazine reported in 1945 that they “were received by the public with more enthusiasm, perhaps, than any other paintings in the history of American art.”
This picture speaks powerfully to me of thankfulness, but it also speaks of action. Rockwell recognised that there was much that we have for which to be thankful. He also recognised that thankfulness demands a response. For him it was to use his talents to help bring home the important message of the four freedoms.
Similarly, the man in the painting is clearly thankful that he has freedom of speech. From that thankfulness comes a response. He can enjoy the gift of freedom of speech, and he makes sure that he uses it.
There is a good lesson here for us as Christians. Our faith comes from a place of deep thankfulness; for everything that God has done for us in the name of His son, Jesus Christ. We have so much for which to be thankful. But our faith demands a response; it must be seen in actions. As James said in his letter:-
“….faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead….. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”
James 2: vv17-18 (part)
Like Alfred Hitchcock, Rockwell liked sometimes to put himself in the picture. Apparently, on the far right of the painting is a character where all you can see is a single eye – that’s Norman! May we have the courage and the faith to make sure that we too are part of the picture.
Philip Clarke
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