This 1939 cartoon was drawn for the American public by the US cartoonist Herb Block.

1. This 1939 cartoon was drawn for the American public by the US cartoonist Herb Block.

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) This 1939 cartoon was drawn for the American public by the US cartoonist Herb Block.

4. Denotation A small girl, labelled ‘Poland’ is confronted by two fairy-tale predators. Connotation The little girl is vulnerable, weak and there-to-be-eaten; to attack a little girl is a disgusting thing to do. Meaning Poland is in danger. This 1939 cartoon was drawn for the American public by the US cartoonist Herb Block.

5. Denotation The words ‘Nazi-Germany’ are on the wolf’s pillow; the wolf has a ‘Hitler’ hair-style. Connotation The words of the fairy-tale: ‘all the better to EAT you with!’ Meaning Nazi Germany is a ravenous wolf (= an aggressive predator state) wanting to devour (= annex) Poland. This 1939 cartoon was drawn for the American public by the US cartoonist Herb Block.

6. Denotation The words ‘Soviet Russia’ are on the bear’s pillow; the bear has a look of Stalin. Connotation The bears tried to kill Goldilocks in the fairy-tale. (Also, ‘the bear’ is a traditional symbol of Russia) Meaning Stalin’s Russia is an frightening bear (= a dangerous predator state) wanting to kill (= destroy) Poland. This 1939 cartoon was drawn for the American public by the US cartoonist Herb Block.

7. Denotation The wolf and the bear have got into bed together in order to catch the little girl. Connotation ‘Getting into bed with’ is a slang term for making an alliance, uniting with. Meaning Hitler and Stalin have united to conquer Poland This 1939 cartoon was drawn for the American public by the US cartoonist Herb Block.

8. Finally, always remember to look at: Origin (who drew it) Date (when it was published) This 1939 cartoon was drawn for the American public by the US cartoonist Herb Block.

9. Date 1939. Details At the time of the Nazi-Soviet Pact, (?)after the conquest and division of Poland by Germany and Russia. Significance The cartoon is a reaction of disgust to the Nazi-Soviet Pact. This 1939 cartoon was drawn for the American public by the US cartoonist Herb Block.

10. Origin The US cartoonist Herb Block. Details Block was a liberal, who hated the dictators, but cared most about America’s interests. Significance Block, further away in America and therefore more detached, NEVERTHELESS still thought the Nazi-Soviet Pact self-serving, cynical and disgraceful. This 1939 cartoon was drawn for the American public by the US cartoonist Herb Block.