Interpreting a Cartoon: Clemenceau the Vampire
Clemenceau, the Vampire
Interpreting a cartoon
How do I interpret this cartoon?
‘Clemenceau the Vampire’
From the German newspaper Kladderadatsch (July 1919)
1.
Context – what was happening at the time?
2.
Content – what is happening in the cartoon?
3.
Comment – what is the meaning of the cartoon?
Context – what was happening at the time?
• Germany had just been defeated in WWI.
• The Treaty of Versailles was signed in1919.
• It had been written by the ‘Big
Three’ and imposed on
Germany.
• Clemenceau wanted to ruin
Germany
• The Treaty blamed Germany for the war
• The Treaty made her pay
‘reparations’ for ALL the damage. • Germany lost lots of land.
• Germany lost her armed forces.
• The Germans hated the Treaty.
Content – what is happening in the picture?
• A young girl, beautiful but poorly.
• An evil-looking vampire... • … which is sucking the girl’s blood
• Weapons laid aside.
• Two bats outside the window – more vampires. • The window is open – the curtains are blowing. Comment – what is the meaning of the picture?
• Germany
• Clemenceau
Two more bats
• Taking reparations
Window open
Vampire
Poorly girl
Sucking
blood
Discarded weapons
• Germany’s army had been disbanded by the Treaty of
Versailles.
• Britain and America
• Germany is helpless to defend herself.
Interpreting a cartoon
How do I interpret this cartoon?
‘Clemenceau the Vampire’
From the German newspaper Kladderadatsch (July 1919)
1.
Context – what was happening at the time?
2.
Content – what is happening in the cartoon?
3.
Comment – what is the meaning of the cartoon?
Context – what was happening at the time?
• Germany had just been defeated in WWI.
• The Treaty of Versailles was signed in1919.
• It had been written by the ‘Big
Three’ and imposed on
Germany.
• Clemenceau wanted to ruin
Germany
• The Treaty blamed Germany for the war
• The Treaty made her pay
‘reparations’ for ALL the damage. • Germany lost lots of land.
• Germany lost her armed forces.
• The Germans hated the Treaty.
Content – what is happening in the picture?
• A young girl, beautiful but poorly.
• An evil-looking vampire... • … which is sucking the girl’s blood
• Weapons laid aside.
• Two bats outside the window – more vampires. • The window is open – the curtains are blowing. Comment – what is the meaning of the picture?
• Germany
• Clemenceau
Two more bats
• Taking reparations
Window open
Vampire
Poorly girl
Sucking
blood
Discarded weapons
• Germany’s army had been disbanded by the Treaty of
Versailles.
• Britain and America
• Germany is helpless to defend herself.