Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Graven Images, Amish Aesthetics, And The "Affirmative Lie", Laura Fair-Schulz

Swiss American Historical Society Review

"Can I take your picture?" The answer was obvious, but it was a plumb opportunity to observe how the question would be received, Mr. Yoder merely replied, displaying a typical posture- of humility -practiced among the Amish (head slightly bowed but cocked sideways to maintain eye contact): "...we wouldn't appreciate that." There was nothing angry in his voice, denouncing the "worldliness" of the question, but a soft, rehearsed and purposeful tone.