Cole
Beaudrie
Title: I Want Out
Date Created: 1971
Published by: Darien
House Inc.
Artist: Murray Smith
Sponsoring Group: John
Daniel and Charles Houle
Artistic medium: Poster
Assuming we don’t all know who Uncle Sam is, he was created as
propaganda persuading people to enlist in the American military
during the first World War. My chosen image was created long
after and shows Uncle Sam in a different light.
What is the purpose of
the visual?
This image was created as
anti-war propaganda during
the time of the IndoChinese War. But it’s
purpose surpasses it’s time
and can still be seen as
anti-war propaganda today.
It’s seen as this because he
appears unhappy
compared to the pro-war
counterpart created to
recruit soldiers.
Who is the intended
audience?
The intended audience of
this photo is American
citizens. More than that, it is
any person affected by war.
Is the purpose changed
any when the words are
removed?
The purpose remains the
same even with the words
removed. This is because
Uncle Sam still seems
unhappy and appears to
want OUT of the war based
on his body language.
Is the purpose changed
any when Uncle Sam is
removed?
The purpose is completely
changed. It can now refer
to wanting out of anything.
Perhaps the red, white,
and blue imply that this is a
political image.
How does the artist use
pathos?
The artist pulls at your
emotions because Sam is
reaching out to you and
this makes you feel sorry
for him because he seems
upset.
How does the artist use
logos?
The artist appeals to the
audience logically by
wrapping Uncle Sam in
bandages, dressing him in
ripped clothes, which
shows the negative affects
of war on a person.
How does the artist use
ethos?
Ethos is only represented
by one thing in this image;
Uncle Sam. This builds
credibility because the
original image of Uncle
Sam was taken up by the
Federal Government as a
national symbol, and here
he appears again in a
negative tone.
Smith, Murray. I Want Out.
1972. The Victoria and
Albert Museum, London.