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S00705721
English 1010
July 5, 2012
Political Cartoon Essay
http://www.vicsocotra.com/2012/06/flying-monkeys/
The colors are pretty subdued, but they were enough to catch my attention and
hold it until I looked at the art and then the content.
The artist is portraying President Obama as the Wicked Witch of the West from
“The Wizard of Oz”. He has the pointed hat, broom and black dress; the IRS are the
flying monkeys.
The President’s mouth has been rendered extremely large as if he has much to
say.
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His face is long and his head is very small at the top which may be interpreted as
a very small brain is in that very small space.
I think the artist is implying that Mr. Obama has a lot to say, but not a lot of
intelligent things to say.
The artist has drawn the look on Mr. Obama’s face as evil, as if he’s up to no
good at all. I think it’s because he looks slightly demented look in his eyes, the angle of
his brow and the look of glee. It may be that he’s mad with the power he has over the
monkeys.
Mr. Obamawitch has very skinny arms that could be construed as weak as if he
lacks the strength to hold up his convictions. His neck is skinny as well which I think
means he shouldn’t have enough strength to hold his head up.
The flying monkeys are representing the IRS, and there are many of them.
The monkeys also have that slightly deranged, evil expression. They have skinny
arms and skinny legs implying that they can’t hold themselves up and are weak. I take
this to mean that they don’t have enough strength of character to hold up their own
ideas and are willing servants.
Their tails are crooked, which could mean that the IRS is crooked. The tails are
attached to big rear ends. Maybe the artist believes that the monkeys sit on their fat
butts then go collect for the witch.
The President is holding a newspaper with the headline, “Obamacare Ruled
Constitutional”. That may be what he’s looking demented and excited about.
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The monkeys appear to be jumping to do his bidding. I get the impression that
they are going out into the air quickly and they are plentiful. The way that the President
addresses them is like he’s the puppet master and has the entire IRS at his disposal to
do what he deems necessary to uphold his mandate on healthcare.
The text balloon says, “Fly, my minions, fly!” Mr. Obama is telling the IRS
monkeys to do what he says. The definition of minion is a follower devoted to serve his
master relentlessly. I think this is why the President and the flying monkeys have the
same facial expressions. The minions mimic the master.
The artist drew this cartoon to represent his opinion of the Supreme Court’s
ruling on June 28, 2012 that upheld the Affordable Care Act. This ruling would fine
those who don’t purchase healthcare and ruled that the mandate is constitutional as a
tax.
In conclusion, I believe the artist is trying to say that President Obama and
Obamacare are evil and that the IRS is on an equal level of evil because they’re doing
what he wants.