http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/140005439?high=on&rpp=50&pg=3&rndkey=20120124&ft=*&pos=101

I think this piece is talking about how the people in this world don't take initiative and help out some one without being asked. Like, they aren't the good samaritan and instead of going to help, TAKE INITIATIVE, they stand around and watch, waiting for someone else to do the work for them. I think this piece in one way shows someone protecting the villagers but in another sense, it shows this ONE person, who is willing to stand there and hold their arm up for who knows how long and protect these villagers and no one is doing anything.

If you look at teh picture closely you see that everyone is looking at the person, and looking up at this land/mountains the person is holding up. They've formed like this semi-circle around the person and are just watching. And some are even looking at each other or pointing up at the mountains but i see nobody who looks like they are going to help that one person. They are all watching and looking around, each waiting for something to happen or someone else to make the first move.

I think this relates to our world because a lot of people will jus walk by a homeless person for example and not put money or change in their jar or can or box. But when someone does, everyone looks at them like their weird. A lot of people in the world let other people do the work for them. They let other people risk their lives for someone else and watch when they can help! If no one helped anyone or anything, we would't be here right now. We would have destroyed the world already! But for the people who care enough to take initiative and help out complete strangers or someone they know is a big thing. Just like this person in the picture. Those mountains can fall at anytime. Most people would get out but the one person who definetly wouldn't get out is the one person holding it up. Risking their lives to HELP others.