1. This cartoon of 18 June 1947 was drawn by EH Shepard for the British satirical magazine Punch.

2. What is the message of this cartoon?

3. Denotation Connotation
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 of 18 June 1947 was drawn by EH Shepard for the British satirical magazine Punch.

4. Denotation Connotation Meaning
Truman and Stalin are rival taxi-drivers.
Connotation
They are rivals for customers – rivals to help, but also rivals for business and influence/power.
Meaning
International relations by 1947 have become a competition – a rivalry for allies/ spheres of influence – between the superpowers.
This cartoon of 18 June 1947 was drawn by EH Shepard for the British satirical magazine Punch.

5. Denotation Connotation Meaning
The competition is taking place in the Balkans (eastern Europe), but Austria waits in line.
Connotation
The superpowers are competing for control of the countries of eastern Europe.
Meaning
The future of eastern and central Europe is at stake - is up for grabs.
This cartoon of 18 June 1947 was drawn by EH Shepard for the British satirical magazine Punch.

6. Denotation Connotation Meaning
Stalin is pushing Hungary and grabbing Bulgaria’s bag to get them into the ‘Pension Russe’.
Connotation
‘Push’ and ‘grab’ are words of force/ bullying.
Meaning
Stalin is using the Red Army and terror to force eastern European nations into the Russian Empire.
This cartoon of 18 June 1947 was drawn by EH Shepard for the British satirical magazine Punch.

7. Denotation Connotation Meaning
Truman politely raises his hat to offer customers the ‘Liberty Hotel’, and ‘comfortable accommodation’.
Connotation
Liberty = freedom.
Comfort = prosperity.
Meaning
Shepard is basically asking: ‘Which would you prefer? Soviet force or American funding? Isn’t America’s way much better’. It presents the West as ‘the goodies’.
This cartoon of 18 June 1947 was drawn by EH Shepard for the British satirical magazine Punch.

8. Origin Date Finally, always remember to look at: (who drew it)
(when it was published)
This cartoon of 18 June 1947 was drawn by EH Shepard for the British satirical magazine Punch.

9. Date Details Significance 18 June 1947.
In June 1947, Truman invited the countries of Europe to ask for aid as part of Marshall funding to get the European economy going again.
Significance
Shepard presents the Marshall Plan as the US counter-move to Soviet expansionism, in a competition for influence in eastern Europe.
This cartoon of 18 June 1947 was drawn by EH Shepard for the British satirical magazine Punch.

10. Origin Details Significance The British cartoonist EH Shepard.
Shepard was British but he was very deep and perceptive.
Significance
Shepard is saying: ‘Yes, it IS a Cold War – but isn’t it a competition which we need to win, and aren’t our methods just and true?’
This cartoon of 18 June 1947 was drawn by EH Shepard for the British satirical magazine Punch.