Ww2 Ads

World War 1 Ads Assesment

1st Ad: TAKE UP THE SWORD OF JUSTICE

This first ad shows a full length figure of a woman wearing robes and a red cloak. This woman holds a sword, in her extendedright hand. She’s standing above the sea in which we can appreciate drowning figures, for example a hand. In the background, a four funneled ship named RMS Lusitania, sinks. The image although it occupiesthe majority of the space is held within a narrow brown border. The only words appearing in the ad are found in the title” TAKE UP THE SWORD OF JUSTICE” which is separate and positioned across thetop. I consider the strong colors used in the ad pretty shocking, the grey figures suggest an atmosphere in which chaos and disorder prevails. From this chaotic situation, the ship sinking and itspassengers dying, a woman personifying justice arises. The aspect and position of this woman which claims for justice really impacts me and I find it very persuasive. I think that the author of this ad wasreally intelligent by including a sword to his poster because it is a perfect symbolic figure representing justice and revenge.
I consider that the propaganda technique which is being used isclearly simplification. First of all, I must state that the audience which is being affected by the poster is the British people, particularly young men, which had the possibility to join the army in orderto fight during World War 1 against Germany. The RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by the Germans in 1915 and thousands of soldiers died. The author takes this example in order to persuade the public andtries to convince them to join the army and make justice for the victims. “Taking up the sword of justice”, that is: joining the British army, is not that simple and easy. The author is clearlysimplifying an extremely complicated situation such as War, where death and difficulties will persist until it ends. I consider that this propaganda technique might had helped achieved the author’s purpose...