The Gods are angry
Herb Block, 12 April 1981
Cartoon Analysis
- Speaker: Herb Block
- Subject: Economic Inequality
- Audience: American public along with the readers of the Washington Post
- Context: The government is supporting the wealthy over the general public/poor.
- Symbolism: The government represents Zeus who is all powerful. The wealthy represent the minor gods. And the public represent the mortals.
- Exaggeration: The mortals are portrayed as tiny and weak and the wealthy are portrayed as self-indulgent people.
- Labeling: Mortals-Social Programs for the Non-Wealthy, Minor Gods- Welfare for the Wealthy, Zeus- Administration Budget
- Analogy: This political cartoon alludes to the Greek mythology.
- Irony: The welfare is going to the wealthy instead of the non-wealthy who actually need it.
- Purpose: To tell the American public that the government is only serving the wealthy.