This cartoon by the Australian artist Will Dyson appeared in the Daily Herald on 17 May 1919.  

What is the message of this cartoon?

To do this question, you need first to borrow two concepts from English:

Denotation(what you see)

Connotation(how it affects its audience)

This cartoon by the Australian artist Will Dyson appeared in the Daily Herald on 17 May 1919.  

Four figures are leaving the building.

They represent the ‘Big Four’: Lloyd George, Orlando, Clemenceau (the Tiger) and Wilson.

Denotation

Connotation

MeaningThe Big Four have made the Treaty and believe that they have finished their work.

This cartoon by the Australian artist Will Dyson appeared in the Daily Herald on 17 May 1919.  

Clemenceau (’the Tiger’) hears a baby weeping; it is labelled 1940 class (= liable for call-up in 1940).

The child is weeping because he is going to be ‘cannon-fodder’ in 1940.

Denotation

Connotation

MeaningThe Treaty will not bring a lasting peace – there will be another world war in 20 years’ time.

This cartoon by the Australian artist Will Dyson appeared in the Daily Herald on 17 May 1919.  

The child is naked.

Nakedness carries connotations of innocence and helplessness.

Denotation

Connotation

MeaningThe war will not be the child’s fault, but the fault of the Big Four and the treaty they have made.

This cartoon by the Australian artist Will Dyson appeared in the Daily Herald on 17 May 1919.  

The child has thrown the ‘Peace Treaty’ on the floor.

Throwing something down is an act of anger and despair.

Denotation

Connotation

MeaningThe Treaty is useless because it will not do what a treaty is supposed to do – stop another war happening.

This cartoon by the Australian artist Will Dyson appeared in the Daily Herald on 17 May 1919.  

Finally, always remember to look at:

Origin(who drew it)

Date(when it was published)

This cartoon by the Australian artist Will Dyson appeared in the Daily Herald on 17 May 1919.  

This cartoon by the Australian artist Will Dyson appeared in the Daily Herald on 17 May 1919.  

An artist in the Daily Herald.

A British popular newspaper selling to the working classes.

Origin

Details

SignificanceThis cartoon suggests that even ordinary British people felt the Treaty was a failure.

This cartoon by the Australian artist Will Dyson appeared in the Daily Herald on 17 May 1919.  

17 May 1919.

Soon after the Treaty was presented to the Germans, but before they agreed to sign it.

Date

Details

SignificanceThis was BEFORE the Germans signed the Treaty – it is a sign that British people were already starting to doubt that the treaty was fair.