A Rhetorical Analysis Of Joe Sacco's 'On Satire'
Augie Evered
1-26-14
3rd hour AP Lang
Joe Sacco, “On Satire” Rhetorical Analysis There are many views surrounding the Charlie Hebdo firebombing from January 7th. Many journalists from sources such as The Guardian, FOX News, and the New York Times say that the shooting of cartoonists in defense of religious beliefs is unethical and immoral. However, these approaches to the issue of freedom of speech presented by the Hebdo cartoons, which portray the Muslim prophet Mohammed in derogatory and lewd sketches, are represented quite differently by Joe Sacco in his comic titled On Satire. In this comic, Sacco demonstrates his opinion on the issue of freedom of speech by showing how offensive the material was that Hebdo had published. This was easily
achieved by the use of heavy visual rhetoric, stark comparisons with a witty and educated tone, and frequent rhetorical appeals. One of the cleverest strategies that Sacco utilizes is the way he draws each panel in the comic. Each has a small detail in it that helps accomplish the point he is trying to communicate with his audience. The first that stood out to me was in the second panel; where behind the graves made of pens and in the distance along with the French flag at half-mast is a mosque. This is not a very large mosque; in fact it is very hard to see. Behind all this tragedy, we only see a symbol of the Islamic faith; and if we did not cause this tragedy then they must have. This is purposefully planted in the background to show that we will blame not those responsible, but rather a larger target. Though this so-called larger target comprises the majority of France’s prison system and compromises less than 15% of the population. This helps lead Sacco to ask the question of what “allows him to offend”.
1-26-14
3rd hour AP Lang
Joe Sacco, “On Satire” Rhetorical Analysis There are many views surrounding the Charlie Hebdo firebombing from January 7th. Many journalists from sources such as The Guardian, FOX News, and the New York Times say that the shooting of cartoonists in defense of religious beliefs is unethical and immoral. However, these approaches to the issue of freedom of speech presented by the Hebdo cartoons, which portray the Muslim prophet Mohammed in derogatory and lewd sketches, are represented quite differently by Joe Sacco in his comic titled On Satire. In this comic, Sacco demonstrates his opinion on the issue of freedom of speech by showing how offensive the material was that Hebdo had published. This was easily
achieved by the use of heavy visual rhetoric, stark comparisons with a witty and educated tone, and frequent rhetorical appeals. One of the cleverest strategies that Sacco utilizes is the way he draws each panel in the comic. Each has a small detail in it that helps accomplish the point he is trying to communicate with his audience. The first that stood out to me was in the second panel; where behind the graves made of pens and in the distance along with the French flag at half-mast is a mosque. This is not a very large mosque; in fact it is very hard to see. Behind all this tragedy, we only see a symbol of the Islamic faith; and if we did not cause this tragedy then they must have. This is purposefully planted in the background to show that we will blame not those responsible, but rather a larger target. Though this so-called larger target comprises the majority of France’s prison system and compromises less than 15% of the population. This helps lead Sacco to ask the question of what “allows him to offend”.