![Picture](/uploads/2/6/4/1/26419433/165922485.jpg)
Media Deconstruction: Propaganda Posters
1.) Who created this media message? Who paid for it? Why?
Since the poster displays a soldier impaling a miniature Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Emperor Hirohito (chiefs of The Axis) I believe that this poster was made by the Allies during WWII. Although there is no obvious indication of what branch of the Allies made the poster. I would predict that it was made by either the United States or Great Britain since France wouldn’t print the poster in English.
The Allies made this propaganda poster to encourage the donation of goods to the army and government.
2.) Who is the target audience? What is their age, ethnicity, class profession, interests, etc.? What words, images or sounds suggest this?
The target audience for this poster is any patriotic member of the Allied Nations, mostly likely Britain or the United States. The target age, ethnicity, and class profession for these patriots is very vast, since during WWII they encouraged everyone to donate a variety of items. I believe this propaganda poster would concern home and car owners more in the Allied nations because they had the power and goods that the government and army needed at the time. This poster generally relates to any patriotic civilian because it features a typical soldier defeating the two main enemies at the time, which can rally up a lot of civilian patriotism. Also in the red letter they underline the word “YOU”, to enforce that this poster is intended for all viewers.
3.) What is the text of the message? (Seen written words, photos, design, etc.)
The text of this message includes multiple images/drawings and written words. The image of a giant soldier holding an impressive looking bayonet is the most prominent feature of this message. At the end of the bayonet there is three miniature drawings of the three leaders of The Axis during WWII being impaled violently. There is also a small illustration just below the bayonet that shows the weapons of the leaders of The Axis being dropped and discarded. The written text in this message is,“ I’ll give’em HELL! YOU GIVE ME THE STUFF!” This is the complete text of the message.
4.) What is the subtext of the message? (What do you think is the hidden or unstated meaning?) In your opinion is the media piece effective? Give 3 specific reasons why or why not.
The subtext of this piece is that with donations from citizens, soldiers of the Allied forces will be able to defeat the Axis and most importantly its leaders. It implies that defeating The Axis will be simple with help and donations from the nation. Also the larger version of the soldier indicates that with donations and new goods Allied armies are superior to the miniature versions of The Axis.
In my opinion this media piece is effective because it has a strong phrasing, deep imagery, and an impressive design. First, the phrasing in this piece is very strong because it is direct, and demanding. It states the theme clearly and addresses the demands and needs clearly as well. Second, the imagery is able to express great subtext that helps you understand the concept and impacts your judgment. Third, the design and layout of the poster is simply yet effective. It is clear, organized and uses the rule of thirds very well. In conclusion this poster is very effective to myself because it demonstrates a clear objective through phrasing, installs deeper meaning through imagery, and is presented in a clear impressive design.
5.) What positive messages are presented? What negative messages are presented?
The positive messages that are presented in this piece include the strength, protection, and bravery represented by the solider. Also there is the message of defeating the enemy Axis, which to viewers at the time could have been very positive. The negative message that is portrayed in this piece is the disrespect that was used towards there enemy countries. I acknowledge the circumstances that occurred then but I do not think that we should be any less civil. This negative aspect displays the true demeanor of a propaganda poster.
6.) What part of the story is not being told?
The part of the story that is not being told in this message is the before and after. The image displays the possible outcome to donating to the army. Although it does not exactly tell us were those donations go or how they will exactly help to defeat the enemy Axis forces. It also does not tell us what the outcome to defeating the Axis forces will be. Although I am not entirely sure how these scenarios could be incorporated into the story that is being told in the piece. Most importantly the part of the story that is not being told in this piece is the perspective of the enemy forces. It is strictly being told form the perspective of the Allies.
7.) What visual element(s) does this ad contain? How are they used?
The visual elements this ad contains include the imagery of a giant soldier wielding an enormous bayonet. Along with three miniature models of the leaders of the Axis: Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Emperor Hirohito. They are seen being impaled by the soldier and his bayonet. These images are used to insinuate the defeat of the Axis forces to the much superior Allies. The ad also contains a mixture of bold and regular font. This is used to add a voice or expression to the phrase. In this case it appears to be a demanding tone , since words are both capitalized, underlined, and bolded.
8.) What tools of persuasion are used?
The tools of persuasion that are used in this ad are Charisma, Simple solution, and Symbols. Charisma is displayed in this ad by the boldness, firmness, and confidence in the phrasing and imagery. The text is charismatic because it is almost a guarantee, it is written very confidently and firmly. Also the imagery is very bold and strong, making it charismatic. Another tool of persuasion used in this ad is simple solution. The ad provides a simple solution to defeating the enemy. By donating to the army, the soldiers will be able to give’em hell! Lastly the ad uses symbols by having the Axis leaders impaled. This brings to the viewers mind the concept of defeat, and most importantly the enemies defeat. These are the tools of persuasion used in the ad.
9.) What story component(s) are contained in the ad? How are they used?
The story components contained in the ad are solution and characters. The solution being the donation and demand for goods by the army, and the characters are the three dictators and the soldier. The solution through the text is used to convince the viewer to donate and help the army. The soldier is used to represent the army and strength. Since they enlarged the size of the soldier, it appears superior, strong, and dominates over the small versions of three dictators. The miniature versions of the dictators being defeated is used to show how weak, and miniscule they are.
-Meghan chamberlain
1.) Who created this media message? Who paid for it? Why?
Since the poster displays a soldier impaling a miniature Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Emperor Hirohito (chiefs of The Axis) I believe that this poster was made by the Allies during WWII. Although there is no obvious indication of what branch of the Allies made the poster. I would predict that it was made by either the United States or Great Britain since France wouldn’t print the poster in English.
The Allies made this propaganda poster to encourage the donation of goods to the army and government.
2.) Who is the target audience? What is their age, ethnicity, class profession, interests, etc.? What words, images or sounds suggest this?
The target audience for this poster is any patriotic member of the Allied Nations, mostly likely Britain or the United States. The target age, ethnicity, and class profession for these patriots is very vast, since during WWII they encouraged everyone to donate a variety of items. I believe this propaganda poster would concern home and car owners more in the Allied nations because they had the power and goods that the government and army needed at the time. This poster generally relates to any patriotic civilian because it features a typical soldier defeating the two main enemies at the time, which can rally up a lot of civilian patriotism. Also in the red letter they underline the word “YOU”, to enforce that this poster is intended for all viewers.
3.) What is the text of the message? (Seen written words, photos, design, etc.)
The text of this message includes multiple images/drawings and written words. The image of a giant soldier holding an impressive looking bayonet is the most prominent feature of this message. At the end of the bayonet there is three miniature drawings of the three leaders of The Axis during WWII being impaled violently. There is also a small illustration just below the bayonet that shows the weapons of the leaders of The Axis being dropped and discarded. The written text in this message is,“ I’ll give’em HELL! YOU GIVE ME THE STUFF!” This is the complete text of the message.
4.) What is the subtext of the message? (What do you think is the hidden or unstated meaning?) In your opinion is the media piece effective? Give 3 specific reasons why or why not.
The subtext of this piece is that with donations from citizens, soldiers of the Allied forces will be able to defeat the Axis and most importantly its leaders. It implies that defeating The Axis will be simple with help and donations from the nation. Also the larger version of the soldier indicates that with donations and new goods Allied armies are superior to the miniature versions of The Axis.
In my opinion this media piece is effective because it has a strong phrasing, deep imagery, and an impressive design. First, the phrasing in this piece is very strong because it is direct, and demanding. It states the theme clearly and addresses the demands and needs clearly as well. Second, the imagery is able to express great subtext that helps you understand the concept and impacts your judgment. Third, the design and layout of the poster is simply yet effective. It is clear, organized and uses the rule of thirds very well. In conclusion this poster is very effective to myself because it demonstrates a clear objective through phrasing, installs deeper meaning through imagery, and is presented in a clear impressive design.
5.) What positive messages are presented? What negative messages are presented?
The positive messages that are presented in this piece include the strength, protection, and bravery represented by the solider. Also there is the message of defeating the enemy Axis, which to viewers at the time could have been very positive. The negative message that is portrayed in this piece is the disrespect that was used towards there enemy countries. I acknowledge the circumstances that occurred then but I do not think that we should be any less civil. This negative aspect displays the true demeanor of a propaganda poster.
6.) What part of the story is not being told?
The part of the story that is not being told in this message is the before and after. The image displays the possible outcome to donating to the army. Although it does not exactly tell us were those donations go or how they will exactly help to defeat the enemy Axis forces. It also does not tell us what the outcome to defeating the Axis forces will be. Although I am not entirely sure how these scenarios could be incorporated into the story that is being told in the piece. Most importantly the part of the story that is not being told in this piece is the perspective of the enemy forces. It is strictly being told form the perspective of the Allies.
7.) What visual element(s) does this ad contain? How are they used?
The visual elements this ad contains include the imagery of a giant soldier wielding an enormous bayonet. Along with three miniature models of the leaders of the Axis: Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Emperor Hirohito. They are seen being impaled by the soldier and his bayonet. These images are used to insinuate the defeat of the Axis forces to the much superior Allies. The ad also contains a mixture of bold and regular font. This is used to add a voice or expression to the phrase. In this case it appears to be a demanding tone , since words are both capitalized, underlined, and bolded.
8.) What tools of persuasion are used?
The tools of persuasion that are used in this ad are Charisma, Simple solution, and Symbols. Charisma is displayed in this ad by the boldness, firmness, and confidence in the phrasing and imagery. The text is charismatic because it is almost a guarantee, it is written very confidently and firmly. Also the imagery is very bold and strong, making it charismatic. Another tool of persuasion used in this ad is simple solution. The ad provides a simple solution to defeating the enemy. By donating to the army, the soldiers will be able to give’em hell! Lastly the ad uses symbols by having the Axis leaders impaled. This brings to the viewers mind the concept of defeat, and most importantly the enemies defeat. These are the tools of persuasion used in the ad.
9.) What story component(s) are contained in the ad? How are they used?
The story components contained in the ad are solution and characters. The solution being the donation and demand for goods by the army, and the characters are the three dictators and the soldier. The solution through the text is used to convince the viewer to donate and help the army. The soldier is used to represent the army and strength. Since they enlarged the size of the soldier, it appears superior, strong, and dominates over the small versions of three dictators. The miniature versions of the dictators being defeated is used to show how weak, and miniscule they are.
-Meghan chamberlain