Kathria Pador

Mr. Soeth

AP English 3

February 24, 2011

REHUGO Analysis — Observation: Political Cartoon

A. Cartoon attached — Artist: Mike Lester.

B. This cartoon by Mike Lester shows a family behind a white picket fence as prisoners while the value of their home is falling. It illustrates how the fall of the housing market is affecting families, who are in debt because of it, all over the country.

C. Lester is very effective in showing how families feel like they are trapped from the housing market crash. The visual shows a family of three and their dog, complete with prisoner garb and a harmonica, as prisoners behind a white fence that is supposed to be like prison bars. Ironically, white picket fences and owning a home usually symbolize the all-American family and the American dream, while this cartoon depicts it as something that keeps families trapped, mostly in debt. The family also looks as if they are frightened by their home when a home is supposed to be a place where one feels safe.

D. The crash of the housing market has taken its toll on many families in the United States. In many towns and cities, families are suffering from foreclosures and debt. What was once the American dream is now a terrible idea in today’s economy. Instead, families are renting homes and moving from place to place to escape it. To face this problem, there isn’t much anyone can do except try to stimulate the economy and the housing market.

MLA Citation:

Lester, Mike. “White Picket Prison.” http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/27246036-16c0-4ec7-ab1d-4133c3dbf620.html. 24 Feb. 2011.