The Catered-Cranium Connection Analysis
Jessica Therien
EN-102
Dr. Sullivan
3 October 2013
The Catered-Cranium Connection A commonly seen motif around Halloween time is having a head on a plate without the body. Questionably, has it ever been researched as to where this clichéd phenomenon came from? The humorous and frightful situation is actually derived from the scriptural story of Salome. Salome was a traveler with the catholic god, Jesus, and she was an attendee of his death and other events. The story proceeds as she demands her mother’s aspiration for John the Baptist’s head on a plate. Her mother, Herodias, had wedded King Herod’s brother, Philip, and after they had separated, she wanted to remarry to King Herod, himself (King). However the Baptist denied and thus, she had her daughter demand for his head to be brought on a plate. …show more content…
The term “head on a platter” springs from this connection (Freedman).
The cartoon, with what seems to be a caterer holding a platter with a cranium, or skull on it, is handing the lovely gift to a woman. The scenery is outlandish and ornamental. This female (representing Salome) seems to be disappointed or upset with the piece she received. The image appears to have a part of the face missing, possibly upsetting Salome.
To assist the sketched cartoon, the caption, “You dare to garnish my wages?” is added to deepen the controversy of the story. This footer can be interpreted in many ways. The most analytical enquiry of the caption would be that King Herod is now regretting telling Salome that she could have anything she wanted, but could not take back what he said. Was he going to garnish her wages for her specific deed? Perhaps the caption
questions her thoughts and her negativity toward the situation of him bringing not the intended item, but rather, half. According to the Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, a garnishment is “a stoppage of a specified sum from wages to satisfy a creditor or a legal obligation.” The caption fits closely because Salome did what the king wanted in return for what she and her mother wanted. Salome was dismayed over the indication that he is regretting what he said, and over the acceptance of half the gift she intended to obtain. By the definition of garnish in the Law Dictionary, she already attached her grosses to her arranged promise she had with the King. She had funded her burdens and she should not be garnished for anything more or less because they had equal compensations for what they both desired. It did not matter what the ultimatum Salome had, since he promised her anything if she would dance for him. Aside from the mislaid details of John the Baptist’s head and the contentious caption to follow the image, there is no doubt that the “head on a platter” derived from this precise biblical story. With Halloween right around the corner, make sure to not let anybody get away with garnishing your yummy treats on this eerie holiday.
Works Cited
Cartoon. Virago, July 2007. 27. Print.
"Garnishment." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2013.
Gifis, Steven. “Garnishment” Law Dictionary. 2nd ed. 1984. Print.
"KING HEROD AND JOHN THE BAPTIST." KING HEROD AND JOHN THE BAPTIST. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. “Salome.” The Anchor Bible Dictionary. 5th ed. 1992. Print.
EN-102
Dr. Sullivan
3 October 2013
The Catered-Cranium Connection A commonly seen motif around Halloween time is having a head on a plate without the body. Questionably, has it ever been researched as to where this clichéd phenomenon came from? The humorous and frightful situation is actually derived from the scriptural story of Salome. Salome was a traveler with the catholic god, Jesus, and she was an attendee of his death and other events. The story proceeds as she demands her mother’s aspiration for John the Baptist’s head on a plate. Her mother, Herodias, had wedded King Herod’s brother, Philip, and after they had separated, she wanted to remarry to King Herod, himself (King). However the Baptist denied and thus, she had her daughter demand for his head to be brought on a plate. …show more content…
The term “head on a platter” springs from this connection (Freedman).
The cartoon, with what seems to be a caterer holding a platter with a cranium, or skull on it, is handing the lovely gift to a woman. The scenery is outlandish and ornamental. This female (representing Salome) seems to be disappointed or upset with the piece she received. The image appears to have a part of the face missing, possibly upsetting Salome.
To assist the sketched cartoon, the caption, “You dare to garnish my wages?” is added to deepen the controversy of the story. This footer can be interpreted in many ways. The most analytical enquiry of the caption would be that King Herod is now regretting telling Salome that she could have anything she wanted, but could not take back what he said. Was he going to garnish her wages for her specific deed? Perhaps the caption
questions her thoughts and her negativity toward the situation of him bringing not the intended item, but rather, half. According to the Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, a garnishment is “a stoppage of a specified sum from wages to satisfy a creditor or a legal obligation.” The caption fits closely because Salome did what the king wanted in return for what she and her mother wanted. Salome was dismayed over the indication that he is regretting what he said, and over the acceptance of half the gift she intended to obtain. By the definition of garnish in the Law Dictionary, she already attached her grosses to her arranged promise she had with the King. She had funded her burdens and she should not be garnished for anything more or less because they had equal compensations for what they both desired. It did not matter what the ultimatum Salome had, since he promised her anything if she would dance for him. Aside from the mislaid details of John the Baptist’s head and the contentious caption to follow the image, there is no doubt that the “head on a platter” derived from this precise biblical story. With Halloween right around the corner, make sure to not let anybody get away with garnishing your yummy treats on this eerie holiday.
Works Cited
Cartoon. Virago, July 2007. 27. Print.
"Garnishment." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2013.
Gifis, Steven. “Garnishment” Law Dictionary. 2nd ed. 1984. Print.
"KING HEROD AND JOHN THE BAPTIST." KING HEROD AND JOHN THE BAPTIST. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. “Salome.” The Anchor Bible Dictionary. 5th ed. 1992. Print.