"Actually, the effort is to recognize the stature of a portion of unimagined existence, and to contrive techniques proper to its recording, communication, analysis, and defense. More essentially, this is an independent inquiry into certain normal predicaments of human divinity" (Preface)
Agee writes a nice paradox, ambiguous and clear.
"...contrive techniques proper to its recording..."
Agee will rely on this paradox as a necessary tool to project his subjects for us.
"...certain normal predicaments of human divinity."
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I think that this paradox mentioned in the preface is very obvious to observe from the beginning of the book. The reader can tell Agee has true journalistic intentions - to go down to the south and report on the state of life there - but his writing shows that it is impossible for him to keep his feels out of the writing itself. I don't think this keeps the work from being called a sort of documentary; Agee definitely describes his surroundings and gives facts about the families, but can't help subtly including his opinions with the descriptions. This happens when he talks about Emma on page 53. He begins by saying: "I am fond of Emma, and very sorry for her...I want to tell you what I can about her." He puts in how he feels about her, as opposed to merely presenting her looks and personality. Also, by stating that he "wants to tell you what I can about her," he tells the reader that he is invested in not only reporting on the facts, but he wants to state what these facts mean to him as he interprets and comments on his observations. I think by doing this, the project can be seen as both a documentary and commentary, which can be the same thing at times, as in the case with LUNPFM.
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I agree, although Agee suggests that perhaps he cannot be succuesful in his endeavor, I think this modesty really helps him achieve his goal more thoroughly. By constantly reminding himself that he is doing documentary, he is also reminding the reader, and thus keeping the entire piece more true to its purpose. The fact that his personal opinions and ideas pervade his subjects just proves the fact that documentary will always be slightly subjective, because people cannot view and interact with other people without having some sort of opinion about the situation. Considering what Agee is writing about, it makes sense that he has such strong opinions, even though some of his remarks are particularly sexist and racist. It reminds the reader that he is not a machine just absorbing and recording information, but rather participating in the scene in which he is recording.
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