A song accompanies the cartoon:

1. A song accompanies the cartoon: ‘We don’t want you to fight,  but by jingo if you do,  We will probably issue a joint memorandum  Suggesting a mild disapproval of you.’ In this cartoon of 1935 in the British magazine Punch, Britain and France condemn Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia, but all they threaten is a memorandum suggesting a mild disapproval.  

2. What is the message of this cartoon?

3. To do this question, you need first to borrow two concepts from English: Denotation (what you see) Connotation (how it affects its audience) A song accompanies the cartoon: ‘We don’t want you to fight,  but by jingo if you do,  We will probably issue a joint memorandum  Suggesting a mild disapproval of you.’ In this cartoon of 1935 in the British magazine Punch, Britain and France condemn Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia, but all they threaten is a memorandum suggesting a mild disapproval.  

4. Denotation Mussolini is holding a paper saying ‘Abyssinian Dispute’. Connotation ‘Holding’ = wanting to acquire. A song accompanies the cartoon: ‘We don’t want you to fight,  but by jingo if you do,  We will probably issue a joint memorandum  Suggesting a mild disapproval of you.’ Meaning Italy has invaded Abyssinia. In this cartoon of 1935 in the British magazine Punch, Britain and France condemn Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia, but all they threaten is a memorandum suggesting a mild disapproval.  

5. Denotation Figures representing France and Britain wag a finger at Mussolini. Connotation Wagging a finger represents condemnation. A song accompanies the cartoon: ‘We don’t want you to fight,  but by jingo if you do,  We will probably issue a joint memorandum  Suggesting a mild disapproval of you.’ Meaning Mussolini is behaving badly, and the League condemns him. In this cartoon of 1935 in the British magazine Punch, Britain and France condemn Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia, but all they threaten is a memorandum suggesting a mild disapproval.  

6. Denotation All they are threatening in their song is issuing a worthless memorandum. Connotation The reprimand is worse than useless – Britain and France appear scared of Mussolini. A song accompanies the cartoon: ‘We don’t want you to fight,  but by jingo if you do,  We will probably issue a joint memorandum  Suggesting a mild disapproval of you.’ Meaning The League is not taking effective action. In this cartoon of 1935 in the British magazine Punch, Britain and France condemn Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia, but all they threaten is a memorandum suggesting a mild disapproval.  

7. Denotation The song threatens only ‘a joint memorandum’ and ‘mild disapproval’. Connotation The 19th century song it parodies threatened war: ‘We've got the ships, we've got the men, we've got the money too'. A song accompanies the cartoon: ‘We don’t want you to fight,  but by jingo if you do,  We will probably issue a joint memorandum  Suggesting a mild disapproval of you.’ Meaning Britain is a pale shadow of the world power it used to be. In this cartoon of 1935 in the British magazine Punch, Britain and France condemn Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia, but all they threaten is a memorandum suggesting a mild disapproval.  

8. Denotation Britain and France are dressed as if for a Music Hall show. Connotation Music Hall – amusing, but trivial and ridiculous. A song accompanies the cartoon: ‘We don’t want you to fight,  but by jingo if you do,  We will probably issue a joint memorandum  Suggesting a mild disapproval of you.’ Meaning Britain and France have reduced the League to a farce. In this cartoon of 1935 in the British magazine Punch, Britain and France condemn Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia, but all they threaten is a memorandum suggesting a mild disapproval.  

9. Finally, always remember to look at: Origin (who drew it) Date (when it was published) A song accompanies the cartoon: ‘We don’t want you to fight,  but by jingo if you do,  We will probably issue a joint memorandum  Suggesting a mild disapproval of you.’ In this cartoon of 1935 in the British magazine Punch, Britain and France condemn Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia, but all they threaten is a memorandum suggesting a mild disapproval.  

10. Origin The British magazine Punch. Details A British humorous/political magazine. A song accompanies the cartoon: ‘We don’t want you to fight,  but by jingo if you do,  We will probably issue a joint memorandum  Suggesting a mild disapproval of you.’ Significance The cartoon echoes the British public’s growing despair at the League’s failure to take action against aggressor nations. In this cartoon of 1935 in the British magazine Punch, Britain and France condemn Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia, but all they threaten is a memorandum suggesting a mild disapproval.  

11. Date 1935. Details At the start of the crisis. A song accompanies the cartoon: ‘We don’t want you to fight,  but by jingo if you do,  We will probably issue a joint memorandum  Suggesting a mild disapproval of you.’ Significance The cartoon forecasts the League’s failure – people had already lost faith in the League. In this cartoon of 1935 in the British magazine Punch, Britain and France condemn Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia, but all they threaten is a memorandum suggesting a mild disapproval.