Pathos in "After Total War Can Come Total Living"
One of the biggest strengths that appears in this pro war propaganda is the appeal to the fear of the people, and the strong emotion that comes from a census of the people. Historically wise, the second world war had concluded not long before the Vietnam War was taking action, and it created anger and fear in the general public. Because of this, the general public was typically more anti war than in favor of sending people over seas to fight a war they did not understand. However, from this propaganda, the government is able to play into that fear, and also boost moral by promising a chance of better living once the war is over. This is a stark contrast compared to what life during war time was like. The propaganda also appeals to the general idea of a "nuclear family", a very popular ideal from before the war had started. The man and woman standing together overlooking a seemingly perfect town gives the sense of a utopian society, which adds to the affect of a perfect society of "total living", appealing to the sense of perfection every human innately has.
I think that there is great pathos in this piece because it appeals to the emotion of fear and misery that the people were feeling at this time. The piece influences people to keep on fighting and to stay motivated through the war because once the war is over, they will feel happiness and freedom of the same great magnitude that they are feeling misery.
ReplyDeleteThe appeal to fear is probably the most powerful device any idea can use. The ever-looming threat of a war over your head is definitely an effective call to action. Along with the appeal to perfection as you mentioned, I believe the pro-war propaganda also appeals to a person's sense of hope and ambition for a peaceful life after the hardships.
ReplyDeleteI see the pathos in this propaganda. The "American Dream" was what the general audience was interested in. They aspired for the perfect family, perfect house, perfect careers. And this poster offers them that if they support the war effort.
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