1
“The wires are like cobwebs,”
2
The electrical wires spread in every direction while maintaining a systematic organization, indicating the expansiveness of the Soviet electrification campaign and its ability to reach all areas of life
3
“ The sun burns at night,”
4
The extensive electrical wires connect to a single, illuminated lightbulb, providing insight into a significant goal of electrification: providing innovative technology in Soviet homes.
5
“A white child at the dam/ speaks with an African.”
6
The white child and the African child are able to communicate via a radio device, indicating the limitless potential of Soviet technology. The two boys lie in front of two distinct landscapes, which may serve to highlight the distance between them and hence the impressiveness of the machine that allows them to communicate.
7
A metal cell tower extends from the palm tree. The technology is depicted as a part of the African landscape, emphasizing that the boy is from a foreign and exotic nation.
8
The African boy is portrayed with dark skin and large red lips, reminiscent of a minstrel caricature, which is indicative of a lack of understanding of race and racism. The boy is using a device that allows him to communicate with another child over a large distance, demonstrating the novelty of modern technology.