The PythonBy: J. N. “Ding” Darling

Presented By: Jenna Hays

Reaction

What was your initial reaction to the cartoon?

Background Information

• Political cartoon in the Des Moines Register

• Created in 1917 about World War 1

Subject

• What is going on in the cartoon?

• Earth is slowly being ingested by a snake symbolizing the Germans starting to taking over during World War One.

Audience

• Who is the intended audience?

• Citizens of the invaded/soon to be invaded countries who could fight against the Germans.

Balance

• Is the cartoon balanced?

• The cartoon is balanced on both sides of Earth. The head and sign help to balance out the blob of body on the opposite side.

• Does the placement of the snake affect the overall message?

• If the snake was almost done eating Earth, it would bring a sense of hopelessness to the message. If it had less countries swallowed, it would make people think it wasn’t their problem and leave it for the locals to take care of.

Omission

• What is omitted from the cartoon?

• The eyes are blanked out of the snake. Looking into someone’s eye is supposed to be like looking into their soul. The blank eye suggests Germans didn’t have a soul.

Ethos

• Is the source credible?

• The cartoon comes from a newspaper making it credible

Logos

• Is the cartoon logical?

• No, pythons are not normally larger than planets nor do they eat said planets. The meaning, however, is logical because Germany was slowly starting to take over the world.

Pathos

• Does the cartoon appeal to your emotions?

• Yes, this cartoon sparks anger towards Germany for trying to take control of the world and also inspires citizens from the countries being attacked to get up and kick German butt.

Bibliography

• Cracking the AP U.S. History Exam 2010 Edition

Page 255

Copyright 2009 by The Princeton Review, Inc.