This cartoon appeared in the Swiss satirical magazine Nebelspalter in December 1938.

‘Pax’ is the Latin word meaning ‘peace’.The German title means: ‘The Peace of Munich’.

What is the message of this cartoon?

To do this question, you need first to borrow two concepts from English:

Denotation(what you see)

Connotation(how it affects its audience)

‘Pax’ is the Latin word meaning ‘peace’.The German title means: ‘The Peace of Munich’.

This cartoon appeared in the Swiss satirical magazine Nebelspalter in December 1938.

A dust-sheet labelled ‘Pax’ (‘peace’) is covering a cannon.

Dust sheets are used to cover things that are not being used/ out of commission.

Denotation

Connotation

MeaningThe peace of Munich has stopped the impending war.

‘Pax’ is the Latin word meaning ‘peace’.The German title means: ‘The Peace of Munich’.

This cartoon appeared in the Swiss satirical magazine Nebelspalter in December 1938.

A cannon is covered with a dust-sheet labelled ‘Pax’ (‘peace’).

The shape is clearly still a gun – not gone away, but still waiting there to be used if needed.

Denotation

Connotation

MeaningThe cause of war – militarism – has not gone away; it remains to be seen how long the dust-sheet stays on (it can be taken off at a moment’s notice).

‘Pax’ is the Latin word meaning ‘peace’.The German title means: ‘The Peace of Munich’.

This cartoon appeared in the Swiss satirical magazine Nebelspalter in December 1938.

Finally, always remember to look at:

Origin(who drew it)

Date(when it was published)

‘Pax’ is the Latin word meaning ‘peace’.The German title means: ‘The Peace of Munich’.

This cartoon appeared in the Swiss satirical magazine Nebelspalter in December 1938.

This cartoon appeared in the Swiss satirical magazine Nebelspalter in December 1938.

December 1938.

Just after the Munich Agreement – which gave the Sudetenland to Hitler’s Germany.

Date

Details

SignificanceThe cartoonist is warning that the peace is only temporary and may not last.

‘Pax’ is the Latin word meaning ‘peace’.The German title means: ‘The Peace of Munich’.

This cartoon appeared in the Swiss satirical magazine Nebelspalter in December 1938.

A Swiss satirical magazine.

The Swiss were neutral...

Origin

Details

Significance… so this may be an unbiased, impartial opinion.

‘Pax’ is the Latin word meaning ‘peace’.The German title means: ‘The Peace of Munich’.