1. 'Can he block it. ' This cartoon was drawn c
'Can he block it?'   This cartoon was drawn c.1947 by Edwin Marcus, caricaturist for the New York Times. 

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)
'Can he block it?'   This cartoon was drawn c.1947 by Edwin Marcus, caricaturist for the New York Times. 

4. Denotation Connotation Meaning
The ball labelled ‘Marshall Plan’ is heading for the basket labelled ‘European Recovery’.
Connotation
Scoring a basket carries connotations of skill, triumph and success.
Meaning
The Marshall Plan is the USA’s brilliant idea which will get the European economy going again.
'Can he block it?'   This cartoon was drawn c.1947 by Edwin Marcus, caricaturist for the New York Times. 

5. Denotation Connotation Meaning
Stalin – playing for the USSR – is trying to block the basket and stop the USA scoring.
Connotation
Stalin is ‘the opposition’ – the spoiler.
Meaning
Stalin not only wants to stop the Marshall Plan – he wants thereby wreck the European economic recovery it would bring.
'Can he block it?'   This cartoon was drawn c.1947 by Edwin Marcus, caricaturist for the New York Times. 

6. Origin Date Finally, always remember to look at: (who drew it)
(when it was published)
'Can he block it?'   This cartoon was drawn c.1947 by Edwin Marcus, caricaturist for the New York Times. 

7. Date Details Significance Sometime after June 1947.
In July 1947, Stalin instructed the Iron Curtain countries to refuse Marshall Aid.
Significance
Marcus sees Soviet opposition as an active attempt to oppose the USA – i.e. he sees the developing Cold War as a competition between the superpowers.
'Can he block it?'   This cartoon was drawn c.1947 by Edwin Marcus, caricaturist for the New York Times. 

8. Origin Details Significance The American cartoonist Edwin Marcus.
Marcus’s cartoons were given a full page and were important in shaping American attitudes.
Significance
It is biased against the USSR, but it tells us how Americans were feeling at the time.
'Can he block it?'   This cartoon was drawn c.1947 by Edwin Marcus, caricaturist for the New York Times.