Last week the U.S. Embassy came to class to talk about political cartoons (see earlier post). Naturally the presentation included the famous poster of a bearded Uncle Sam with the message I Want You for the U.S. Army . The poster such a hit in WWI that popular demand brought it back in WWII. Its creator James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960) claimed it was “the most famous political poster in the world” and he may have been right. But the image originated not as a poster but as a magazine cover. He drew it for Leslie’s Weekly in 1916, which featured Uncle Sam asking “What Are You Doing for Preparedness?” Full Story
The image just inspired the September 27-October 3 Economist cover, which featured a bald Secretary of Treasury Paulson in Uncle Sam clothing pointing out of the frame with this entreaty: “I Want Your Money.” Images in the media are powerful. Why do you think Flagg’s Uncle Sam has been so much copied for over a century?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
It was a nice presentation , It helped us learn what each character presented and why? Now If i see any cartoon I will be able to know the story :) Great Job U.S Embassy
I think that anything that is connected to 'being patriot' automatically hold everyone's interests especially when it's portrayed as a cartoon character, since the picture stays in people's minds that this character symbolizes patriotism and it should be everywhere to encourage people to serve their country when they're needed.
On that day, i liked the other cartoon which had that woman saying "If i were a man, i would've joined the military" (Something like that, can't remember exactly). This cartoon was very meaningful, direct and somehow harsh. but i liked it!
Interesting post, thanks.
Finally, I can comment on the blog!
I think the presentation was great. I knew things that I was not aware of them, especially Uncle Sam who the Arab still mentioning him till today!
I liked the presentation .. it just bring me joy of how many different languages communication can use in the media through time going on ..
Post a Comment