The title of the cartoon on the left is a pun on the colossus of Rhodes, a statue erected in 282 BC on an island near Greece.
According to legend, the 100 foot tall stature straddled Rhodes’s harbor entrance.
Do you think the artist means the comparison as a compliment or a criticism? Why?
The artist intends the comparison to be a insult.the author's purpose is to show that the man in the first picture is becoming a prominent figure in society, but for all the wrong reasons.He is what is referred to then as a robber baron. These men would do basically anything, legal or illegal, to become more wealthy and powerful in business. this can be seen in his cocky expression and the fact that he is "controlling." A robber baron would also try to absorb all other businesses in their class to gain more power. this can be seen by the smaller men on the bigger man's legs. Society saw these robber barons as greedy crooks, and this is exactly how the author is trying to persuade the man.
ReplyDeletesaint1888=cody storm p.1
ReplyDeleteAs what cody said, I believe that the artist's intent was to insult the subject of the political cartoon. The Colossus of Rhodes pun was meant to add insult to injury because of the people's constant labeling of "Robber Baron." This phrase actually came from the saying "They want to rob her[the States' citizens] baron" which referred to the Industrial heads growing power in the U.S.
ReplyDelete-Stephanie [p.1]
The author is using his illustration as criticism to this man. By the facial expression and his large scale compared to everything, you can conclude that they do not have a particularly good impression of him. A robber baron is what they called men such as this, because they would do anything immoral, illegal or rude in order to make bank. They lusted for power and notoriety for all the wrong reasons and felt the need to control everything and overtake opposition.
ReplyDelete*Tyler Harris (LiTE)
The artist intends for the comparison to be a criticism. The cartoon differs from the strong independent man carved out in the original statue. The cartoon show a man who has gained power through greedy hands. His hand have control of the railroads and his minions are aiding him in his siege. The artist is portraying this man as willing to obtain whatever he whats, by whatever means it takes. He seems like a man who would want to be avoided because of his trickery and deceit.
ReplyDeletecody storm
ReplyDeleteI agree with Joy(aka this is my reply) in that this man and men like him, robber barons, were extremely greedy. They had this social darwinistic outlook on business in that since the were the strongest, or in this case wealthiest, they deserved to keep getting everything. They kept a mindset of give a little, take a lot. They were do whatever they can to earn the most money and would put the least they could back in the community, their employees.
Emily P. [ P3 ]
ReplyDeleteI feel the artist meant it as an insult. I feel that they were trying to depict that these "Rober Barons" of sorts were thinking themselves high and mighty for building these railroads- or in reality, simply sponsoring them while someone else did the work. Most people only build statues for gods - commonly seen in Italy and Greece - or to commemorate national heroes - seen in American capitols often. So depciting these men as being a large statue to the greatness...that is a railroad system? Seems a bit egocentric to me.
For once, I really don't know what else to say about this. It seems very straight forward... though the fact that two men are on the larger man's legs seems a bit odd. Is the larger man Carnegie? Looks a bit like him, and it would make perfect sense since we discussed that he was a major backing force in steel production and the railways.
Well...if we want to look at it the nice way we can all say its an insult. But, i know i would feel the same way at that time. Kind of like put that into your pipe and smoke it. I think its pretty radical and unrealistic but i seriously think that some people thought look at what we did. Bow down to us! Writing this i thought to myself. the guy on the top is there because of greed and maybe its not a good thing that the artist portrays the statue as superior.
ReplyDeleteRebecca Spickler (P-3)
ReplyDeleteThe artist seems to direct the pun in an insulting way, as most puns do. He is simply being critical of the man who owns the entire railroad industry, inferring that he is too greedy. The fact that it is a pun on a great work of ancient architecture makes it seem like the subject is too prideful in his position. They are making a point that the subject is manipulative in his position as well. There are two men on his leg and all three of them are holding ropes. However, the main subject holds more ropes, and holds them carelessly.
like what rebecca said i think the pun is intended to be an insult. i think the cartoon is trying to say that the man is like a greek god powerful and prideful cause of the industries he holds in his hands, the other men in the cartoon have ropes but they are below him in his knees which i think refers to the fact that they are at his knees and that he is at a different level of power.
ReplyDeleteThe author is using this cartoon to show the political power of the man. He is compared to the greek statue (which was probably a prominent God or something) as a sign of the peoples submission to his power. This is represented by his larger than life size, which is probably a parallel to his ego and power. He is a puppeteer to all of those involved in the industry and does what he chooses with the railroads. All others are seemingly helpless to his demands.
ReplyDeleteJordan Leighton, Period 1
to Stephanie- I totally agree. I also like how you told where the term "robber barren" originated. That added a lot of insight to the discussion.
ReplyDeleteI definitly think that this drawing is a negative connotation saying that industry was being controlled and monopolized making all of the american people "pass under" the Carnagie and Rockefeller "statues" being forced into submission because no one could stop them from running and entire industry untill the government did something about it.
ReplyDelete@ Joy
ReplyDeleteI agree with your view point in that the industrial powers were extremly greedy and only looked out for the benefi of themselves. Rockefeller for one under paid his workers so he could make more money
@kevin
ReplyDeletei agree with kevin, i think it is a negative connotation trying to show people about the industral monopoly, and that carnagie an rockerfeller control everything
I think the author meant this as an insulting pun, most political cartoons that depict a public figure as a giant are. It's like what Cody Storm (and many others) said, that he's being depicted as a robber baron and that he has the wrong power, and that the man in the picture is self centered and destroying everything he needs to get what he wants
ReplyDeleteChristian Russell P3
The picture is a complete slam on this man and what he stands for. The artist is trying to make it as if everyone has to go under this man. basically ask for permission to do anything. This man has a complete monopoly on the entire railroad game. The artist did a wonderful job of comparing it to the great greek statue. The artist meant it as if he got a big head while doing his work and now he is apparently larger than life which is somewhat rediculous
ReplyDelete@ tyler your comment is correct. He meant it as if he is a crook and just decided to take over the railroad hustle. You are also right about how he is doing illegal things to "make bank" haha. But overall me and tyler agree that the man is a crook.
i would say that the comparison of the pictures is known to be an insult since the guy is half dressed, not even Half lol.. but yah it shows that the guy who is representing the statue of liberty is practically a joke since it is meant to focus more on his image rather then to focus on what he is doing and the purpose of keeping our country free. its showing that if we are not careful our country will be put into the wrong hands and will be made a joke out of instead of really realizing who will improve and do whats best not just focus on being on top and being center of attention.
ReplyDelete@Cody storm
i agree with you that people were greedy, it was when people were trying to get started and doing anything to get attention and make money and the wrong type of attention. People wanted to be in charge since the US was going through things combining the north and the south and everyone wanting to have a say and wanting to gain power to be in charge and make the calls
-Nicole Bianco
ok, ok I get it know Carnegie and Rockefeller are seen as the kings of the industry. I was wrong you were right...you aren't going to here that often, so enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI think this picture is more of an insult. The man shown is a robber baron, a robber baron is a person who would basically do anything to become richer and take out anyone in their way without mercy. The little faces on the man's legs represent little businesses that the big man took over.
ReplyDeleteAdam P1
@ brock
ReplyDeletedude. your explanation of the man having a large head and taking over the railroad industry because he is larger than life is very good. I like when you said he is larger than life because he stands taller than these railroads. good job mi amigo
I think that the artist is insulting the authors point of view. The picture is obviously that of a robber Barron. It shows a man getting where he wants by doing whatever he wants. it shows that small business is being over run by big business.
ReplyDeleteKevin Wielenga
I think the artist's intention was definitely to criticize. He puts the person in the picture in a position that makes him look greedy and selfish. He does look powerful, but only because of his money. I think he is meant to be seen as someone who is careless about anything else but himself. He is also looking awfully lazy and unmotivated. To compare it to the original picture and why it is a pun, I think it's meant to show what the characteristics of leaders were then to the characteristics of how they were when the pun was created.
ReplyDelete@ Brock,
I agree with your comment. The artist did a pretty great job of getting his point across through his art. He not only portrayed as lazy and careless, but (as you said) had become as a big head and believed he was better than anything.
this obviously is an insult because the second photo mainly focuses on what the guy looks like rather then what he is really known for. he is very successful in life. the first picture indicates how he's gone so far in life and that he pretty much owns all the railroads. and the second picture just shows a naked guy (sorry if that offended anyone.), which shows disrespect.
ReplyDelete-bethany shoulet
@nicole, i totally agree with you on that whole half naked part. it shows that he isnt as great as he really think he is.
ReplyDeleteI think this cartoon presents an insult. This picture is showing a man who is bigger than everything else so what we can get from this picture is that he is a man of high-stature and probably owns the railroad industry. At his knees are other faces probably of smaller businesses that he bought out and made his own. This is a perfect example of a robber baron, a person who will do anything and everything to be the richest and own everything in an industry
ReplyDeleteDalice Meyer P3
@ Jordan
ReplyDeleteWhen you said that the Greek statue represented something of high stature and that the man was standing the same way indicated it was a pun because he thought of himself highly is a good view idea. good job :)
Dalice Meyer P3
mary
ReplyDeleteThe artits intends for the comparison to be a criticism. The industries were being monopolized by carneagie and rockefeller who were rich, greedy men. People were forced to abide by their ridiculous request, which was their only option
i agree with adam.. that man was a robber baron
ReplyDeleteThe artist meant this cartoon as an insult. He is showing that the man is wealthy and controls everything. He controls everything and is very greedy man. He doesn't care if something is legal or illegal, he does it anyways to gain more wealth and power in his business.The cartoon shows that he is bigger than every thing else and his facial expression shows that he is very cocky. Like Cody said he is a robber.
ReplyDeleteGabriel Morfin
Period 3
@Cody Storm
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you Cody. The author of the cartoon is totally show him as a robber baron. He does whatever he can to gain money and make his business succeed. We talked about this kinds of people in class. Yes, this cartoon is considered a insult.
I believe the artist is trying to portray a negative image, as the picture created is illustrating that, at the time it seemed as only one person/company had control of the railroads and other substantially impacting technology such as fuel and oil were being monopolized by one company. The image created could have possibly been a warning towards the public, to register that a monopolization was taking place at that time.
ReplyDelete@adam
ReplyDeleteyes I agree with you, as it may describe a man doing all in his power to become the ultimate of the country. Striving to become the richest, and the best.
the artist seems to be portraying the image as a stuck up individual. The man is obviously obsessed with power and has a desire to gain more, judging by the way he is standing. I find it interesting that he holds strings which are controling the railroads under him. He must a man of high authority in the railroad industry.
ReplyDelete@ Jordan. Thats interesting that you pointed out he was compared to a greek god. That inderesting to think about because he could have been a 'idol' or someone who was looked up to in the business world.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a ironic criticism. "Robber baron" built their fortunes by stealing from the public.They drained the country of natural resources and persuaded public officials to interpret laws in their favor and paid low wages, but they could charged high prices. They put themselves into a high position which is way higher than the public and they are trying to control the economy of society by various way, especially the railroad. They are so selfish. I am not quite sure who is the guy in the second picture. I guess this is Prometheus who stole the fire from the heaven to human beings,he didn't even care his own life, he is so selfless to the public. let's compare with these two people, it's really ironic to "Robber Barons".
ReplyDelete@Emily I definitely agree with you. It's really a insult to "Robber Barons".They deserved though.
Jennaya-i think he mean this as criticism, because what happened in legend was taken critically. he wantewd such high power and money it showed that he would do anything for it. he was selfish and greedy and although it eventually got him to the top, we now look how negatively he got there.
ReplyDelete@sarah- i definitely agree with you. the image does make him look really stuck up and judgemental of anyone below him.
*** Due Date ***
ReplyDeleteI believe that the artist is using this as an insult because he is attacking the Robber Barrens. These people were the ones who had all of the control of this distribution of a process or good, and this portrait is implying that this particular robber barren is a railroad owner. The picture shows how the owner of the railroad thinks of himself as high in stature and had great power. The statue in Greek was symbolic because the statue showed that he had control of the harbor, and compares it to the market of our day.
ReplyDelete@ Jennaya I completely agree with you that it was an insult to be called a robber barren.
ReplyDelete