Observation REHUGO - Analysis of One Visual

Karsha Smith

Mr. Soeth

English 3 AP

24 February 2011

Observation REHUGO – Analysis of One Visual

A.    Cartoon Attached – artist: Paulo Coelho

B.     In this cartoon, the artist shows his perspective on how the U.S. was still involved in the Iraq war. He is focusing on the fact that many American citizens have been sent to war. It seems that because of the economic crisis and the numbers of people’s involvement with Iraq, war seems to be an easier way to earning a job than getting a job after achieving a college degree.

C.     This visual shows a soldier standing next to a college graduate, and the soldier says “I figure it’s easier to find a war than a job these days.” The cartoon effectiveness relies on the fact that many U.S. family members are in huge debt and cannot maintain a steady job because of the failing economic issues that are still a problem today just like in 2008. The artist is stating that it seems the easiest job to maintain is a job as a soldier because the U.S. needs all the help they can get. The war has gone on for years, and you can enter in the military right after high school. A college degree is not required for the military, but for many high paying jobs a degree is required.

D.    Currently, our soldiers are still being sent off to war even though leaders have promised to take soldiers home. This promise has still not been fulfilled. The poor economy has caused many people to be without a job for many months, and every family is in huge debt. No one seems to have the money to pay off much even though some people are working with two or three jobs involving minimum wage. The artist wants the viewers (American citizens) to see the problem and to be aware of it. Why is it that the easiest way to get paid is to join the army nowadays? So many men have been taken to support U.S. beliefs, but should we really be involved with other countries when we cannot even fix our own problems?

MLA Citation for visual:

      Coelho, Paulo. "Image of the Day : Political Cartoons – Borgman « Paulo Coelho's

Blog." Paulo Coelho's Blog. 21 Nov. 2008. Web. 24 Feb. 2011. <http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2008/11/21/image-of-the-day-political-cartoon-borgman/>.