Final answer:
The gesture of someone holding a flag pointed up can symbolize defiance, revolution, or patriotism. In Soviet propaganda, it might indicate leadership or sanctification, while in America, it typically represents patriotism with a personal undertone of respecting human rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
A person standing with one arm holding a flag pointed up often signifies a gesture of defiance, revolution, or patriotism, depending on the historical context and the other symbols associated with the image. For instance, in Soviet propaganda, such a pose could suggest the protection and sanctification of the troops, as seen in Serov's 'Under the banner of Lenin, forward to victory!' or it could invoke a higher order of law as in Koretskii's statement on democratic rights. Alternatively, during the French Revolution, an upraised red flag could symbolize the revolutionary spirit of the common people. Bonaparte's gesture of pointing up in Jacques-Louis David's paintings echoes this revolutionary or leadership gesture, using the body language to motivate others to follow.
Meanwhile, in America, the act of holding the flag represents patriotism, such as in the scene described in the lyrics of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' where the flag waves over 'the land of the free and the home of the brave.' However, the meaning of patriotism itself can be a matter of personal interpretation, as alluded to in a personal definition of patriotism that emphasizes respect for fellow human beings beyond mere traditional expressions of allegiance to the flag.