Interpreting Cartoons The 3cs
Interpreting Cartoons The 3cs
Interpreting Cartoons The 3cs
The Context What was going on at the time, what event does it depict? The Content What has been included in the cartoon? Why have they been drawn this way? The Comment - What message is the cartoonist trying to convey? What do they want you to think?
Content - What is happening in the Comment - What is the meaning of the cartoon? What message does
cartoon?
An old man is threatening a small boy and the boy looks strong and determined.
The clubs represent the two armies; Belgium is outgunned but still resisting. The gate behind the boy is closed and says no entry. The Schlieffen Plan meant Germany had to go through Belgium to attack France, to avoid the border defences and defeat France quickly. The cartoonist is supporting Belgium, hence the caption, 'Bravo Belgium'. The artist is sarcastic towards Germany shown by the sausages hanging from his pocket. The artist is blaming Germany for starting the war and is trying Behind the gate is a peaceful village scene, with a church. to get support from the public for the war by showing Germany as the aggressor and the violator of treaties. He has suggested Britain has a just
make?
The Big Four- Clemenceau, Wilson, Orlando and Lloyd George negotiated the peace settlement and the building is the Palace of Versailles where the Germans had to sign the Treaty.
The child has read the treaty and has been upset by its terms. In 1940 the child will be 21 old enough to fight; he believes there will be a war then.
The Tiger does not understand why the child is happening. The Tiger is Clemenceau, he should understand the situation. He had lived through the France-Prussian War 1870-71, he like all the French had been angered by the harsh treaty which saw France lose Alsace-Lorraine to Germany. France had always sought revenge for that loss. He should realise that Germany will now want revenge for her losses in the Versailles Treaty.
The man in front finds it difficult to understand why the child is upset. He looks quite pleased with himself.
The order in which they leave suggests the level of blame for the treaty. The title suggests there is peace now but there will be war in the future and that war will begin in 1940.