Old Main Bell

When you walk through the quad at Illinois State University and look just past the flagpole, you can see a replica of a bell surrounded by foliage.  Most people would think that anything placed near the flagpole must be of some importance because the American flag is an important symbol of our country.
If you get a close up look at the bell, you can see that it is the bell from the Old Main building, the first building built on the Illinois State University campus. The location of this bell is a key aspect. You can see that this memorial is located in the center of the quad and, therefore, it is available for viewing every day.   Its close proximity to the American flag signifies the importance of the bell to the University. The bell may also be placed there in order to receive attention. Many people will usually look at an American flag when they see one and, in doing so, their attention would be drawn to the bell.  They might about wonder its significance and pay attention to it.
There are many bushes and flowers that surround the bell that help to make it a focal point. The foliage almost surrounds the bell like a frame, drawing attention to the bell and showing that it is something of beauty.
In the picture, you can see people who are having a picnic in the quad and also a boy who is sitting on the bench. The quad is filled with people every day, and these people are all given the opportunity to see the bell and to learn about its history by reading the plaque.
If you look at the trees and the ground, you can see that the seasons are changing. The brown leaves on the grass tell us that it is autumn. However, it must be a nice autumn day due to the amount of sun and the people who are sitting outside.  Also, if you look to the left-hand side of the bell, you can see maintenance trucks which are probably tending to the foliage around the bell in order to maintain it. They are probably in charge of planting new plant, and taking down ones that are dead near the bell. I wonder who picks the flowers and plants that surround the bell and if the flower choices have any significant meaning.
Another thing that stands out in the picture is the large green fence forming a circle. I’m not too sure why it is there, but I would assume that the space is being reserved, possibly for more foliage to be placed. If the fence was not there, I would assume that people would be sitting in closer proximity to the bell and would be more likely to see it.
Although the bell is in the distance and is somewhat hard to see, the distance at which this photo was taken serves a purpose. It was taken at a far distance in order to make it seem like someone was looking at the bell from far away, as many people do on a daily basis. This is proven by where the people in this photo are located. -- Marissa Ofenloch