This
political cartoon was created by Nick Anderson, the editorial cartoonist for
the Houston Chronicle. The cartoon makes a bold response to the public’s outcry
at the bankruptcy of Hostess Brands and subsequent termination of production of
Twinkies. Depicted in the cartoon is a rabid band of campaigners under a giant
banner bearing the words “Save the Twinkie”. Next to this furious and enthused
group are two people, standing alone, under a much smaller “Save the Earth”
sign.
Mr. Anderson’s purpose in creating
this cartoon was to show the American public that our efforts in standing up
for our beliefs are clearly going in a very wrong direction. Anderson does this
mainly through usage of juxtaposition. The members of the large gang of “Save
the Twinkie” campaigners are portrayed as being almost crazed with enthusiasm
for their cause. Directly adjacent to these protestors is a subdued little
group consisting of only one man and one woman standing alone under their “Save
the Earth” banner. These two people are looking at the Twinkie lovers with
little emotion, the man resignedly saying, “We’re doomed”. The comparison
between the two groups of protestors is particularly powerful. The two people
campaigning to save the planet are alone and un-aided, while the group lobbying
to save an unhealthy and unimportant snack food is massive in size and writhing
with passion. Mr. Anderson uses the comparison and contrast between these two
adjacent images to get the message across to his intended audience, the general
American public, that we are not focusing our attention and efforts towards the
right causes. Personally, I was really taken aback by the ridiculousness of
this comparison. I could relate his depiction of people up in arms over the end
of the Twinkie, while remaining completely oblivious to the declining state of
our planet’s health, as I have seen these same sentiments among people I know. In
this respect, Nick Anderson’s effort to impress upon the American people the
consequences of our misguided efforts was achieved.
No comments:
Post a Comment