Polaroid Photographs as a Symbol in Tourist Season

What Are Polaroid Photographs in Tourist Season?

In Enid Shomer’s story “Tourist Season,” the Polaroid camera appears as a concrete object carried by Irv Snyder, an elderly man with memory lapses. Unlike digital or film cameras that require processing, the Polaroid produces an instant print—a tangible image that develops before the viewer’s eyes. Irv uses it constantly, taking snapshots of people and places, as if trying to capture moments that slip from his faltering memory. The photographs themselves become symbols of memory, desire, and the confrontation between past and present.

Where the Polaroid Appears

The Polaroid camera first appears in the elevator of Bluepoint Towers, where Frieda encounters Irv with the camera hanging from his neck. She observes him pacing the dock and shuffleboard court, “taking snapshots with his Polaroid as if he hoped to find himself in the images that bloomed on the glossy paper” ([/books/tourist-season/characters/iris-hornstein/]). The camera is a constant companion, a tool for Irv to anchor his drifting identity.

Later, during the group trip to St. Augustine, Irv uses the Polaroid on the beach. He approaches young women in swimsuits, asking to photograph them, claiming he is a tourist wanting pictures for his grandchildren. This action visibly discomforts Frieda and Milt, but also reveals Irv’s lingering gaze and attraction. The Polaroid thus moves from being a memory aid to an instrument that exposes Irv’s unresolved desires.

Finally, the photographs themselves become a topic of conversation between Frieda and Milt. When the pictures fall from Irv’s jacket, Frieda notes that Milt’s reaction is not disapproval but surprise. They discuss buying their own Polaroid, “Before everything shrivels up” ([/books/tourist-season/themes/aging-and-invisibility/]). This moment forces them to acknowledge their own aging and sexuality.

Shifting Meanings of the Polaroid

Memory and Self-Location: For Irv, the Polaroid serves as an external memory. He wanders and takes pictures of his surroundings, hoping to fix his place in the world. The instant image gives him a concrete trace of reality when his mind fails. Frieda even imagines him as a noble creature following an instinctual path home, suggesting the camera is his compass.

Desire and the Male Gaze: On the beach, the Polaroid becomes a tool for Irv to gaze at young women. He asks them to pose, using the tourist excuse. The camera provides a socially acceptable way to focus on female bodies. This exposes a tension between Irv’s frailty and his persistent sexual attraction. The photographs are not about memory but about capturing and possessing images of youth and beauty.

Catalyst for Marital Reflection: The most significant shift occurs when Frieda and Milt see the photographs and discuss them. The images force them to confront their own marriage—their physical intimacy, their fears about aging, and their desire to rekindle passion. The Polaroid becomes a mirror for their relationship. Frieda remembers her past as a pilot, her swagger, and her current feeling of being turned into something she is not. Milt admits he liked the pictures, and they consider buying their own camera. The symbol transforms from an external object to an internal catalyst for change.

Character and Theme Connections

Irv Snyder: Irv is a man losing his grip on reality. The Polaroid is his lifeline. His character connects to the theme of aging and invisibility. He is both invisible (his wife treats him like a child) and desperately seeking visibility through photographs.

Frieda and Milt: Frieda is a former pilot, now a volunteer Pink Angel, feeling trapped by retirement and Milt’s constant presence. Milt is a retired businessman struggling with loss of status. The Polaroid incident disrupts their routine and forces them to talk about desire. This connects to marriage and relationships, as well as secrets and guilt. Frieda feels guilt for daydreaming about Milt’s death, and the photographs reveal secrets about Irv—and about their own unspoken yearnings.

Sheila and Garland: While not directly linked by the Polaroid, the other stories in Tourist Season also deal with hidden identities and exposure. Sheila’s secret about Royal’s kidnapping and Garland’s thrill-seeking mirror the exposure that the Polaroid forces upon Frieda and Milt ([/books/tourist-season/characters/sheila/], [/books/tourist-season/characters/garland-mckenney/]).

Theme of Travel and Tourism: The story’s title and the bus trip to St. Augustine emphasize tourism. Irv calls himself a tourist as he takes pictures. This reflects the idea of being a tourist in one’s own life, observing without truly participating ([/books/tourist-season/themes/travel-and-tourism-as-metaphor/]). The Polaroid captures the surface, but the deeper reality—Irv’s desire, Frieda’s restlessness—remains hidden beneath.

Four Study Questions with Answers

1. How does Irv Snyder’s use of the Polaroid camera change throughout “Tourist Season”?
   Answer: Initially, Irv uses the camera as a memory aid, taking snapshots of his surroundings to orient himself. On the beach, he shifts to photographing young women, using the tourist excuse. Finally, the photographs themselves become a catalyst for Frieda and Milt to discuss their own marriage and desires.

2. What does the Polaroid photograph reveal about the marriage of Frieda and Milt?
   Answer: The photographs force Frieda and Milt to confront their own aging and sexual desire. Milt admits he likes the pictures, and they consider buying a Polaroid to capture their own intimacy before they become too old. The incident breaks their silence about physical decline and reopens a conversation about passion.

3. In what way does the Polaroid connect to the broader theme of invisibility in the story?
   Answer: Irv is often invisible to others—his wife treats him as a child, and he wanders aimlessly. The Polaroid makes him visible again, giving him a purpose and a way to engage with the world. At the same time, Frieda feels invisible in her retirement, her past achievements forgotten. The camera’s ability to produce an instant image contrasts with the gradual erosion of identity that comes with age.

4. Why does Irv tell the young women he is a tourist when asking to photograph them?
   Answer: Irv uses the tourist identity to excuse his behavior. By claiming he wants pictures for grandchildren, he makes his gaze seem innocent and familial. But the real reason is his lingering attraction to youth. The phrase “I’m a tourist” also reflects the story’s theme: everyone on the trip is a tourist in their own life, passing through without full engagement. Irv’s camera lets him pretend to be a visitor, even at home.