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"The Millionaire"-Stasis

This whole cartoon was designed to make a younger, more susceptible audience of children hate communism, which I believe it does very well. Throughout the cartoon, Americans are portrayed as greedy, immoral, and without honor or self-respect. The most direct comparison indicts not only American economics, but also the political system. The millionaire is portrayed as a bulldog, making the analogy that Americans are greedy, rude, and have ugly personas. This bulldog is loved by everyone, not because he is an upstanding character that people look up to, but because he is rich and powerful. When he is at a dance club, he starts dancing by spinning around in circles and chasing his tail like a dog. Then all the other dancers copy him, giving up their dignity and self-respect in order to suck up to the rich and powerful bulldog. 
The millionaire bulldog gains even more power once he runs for congress and wins the election. This implicates that our political leaders, as well as our economic leaders, also have had the undesirable traits of a bulldog, and it is stated by the narrator that “That’s what crooked money does, if only you can get it”. The author of this cartoon is essentially saying that Americans, in general, are full of greed and hate, and will suck up to those with more power or backstab competitors in order to make it to the top. The author even makes a bold statement that those with influence are allowed to do whatever they please. While drunk, the bulldog is about to pee on a lamp pole but then a policeman arrives. The bulldog then wanders over to the policeman and instead pees on his shoes. The most striking part, however, is that rather than get angry, the policeman, realizing the bulldog’s power and influence, salutes him instead. This cartoon convinces younger generations of capitalist immorality, ensuring that hatred for a competitive market permeates through all of the Russian people, and was used to inspire citizens to stand up to capitalism and help the Soviet cause.

 Written by Dakota Brakob

Comments

  1. Sarah RoOctober 3, 2017 at 3:20 PM

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  2. Sarah RoOctober 3, 2017 at 3:21 PM

    I agree with your point that the cartoon definitely has powerful impact on children who has yet fully developed their own perspectives and positions about the world around them. The character selections clearly plays an important factor in accomplishing their purpose. Portraying the bulldog as the bad guy using its inherent characteristics and the children’s predisposed association of bulldogs with greed and ugliness contributes immensely towards strengthening their argument against the American Capitalism.

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