“Zoo Gorilla
Shot” by Dave Granund is a political cartoon concerning the issue of the
gorilla Harambe. Harambe was shot and killed when a young boy fell into the
exhibit. An outrage followed the killing of Harambe with many saying that the
gorilla was unrightfully put down. Granlund cartoon depicts a family of
gorillas (an adult with two children) who are surrounding a sign that says “RIP
Harambe” and seem to be very scared. One gorilla is saying “Need to redesign
zoos… not to keep us in… but to keep humans out!!” By doing this, Granlund
tries to show that Harambe’s killing was unjust and that it is the humans’
fault that he died, not his own.
Granlund uses only black and
white colors in his cartoon. These colors often symbolize fear or the past to
many people. Scary movies or very old movies are often black and white. By
using these colors, Granlund simulates fear in the audience. The audience then
gains perspective as to how and why a situation like this can be fearful to the
animals. This helps inspire emotion in the readers and, thus, sympathize with
the gorillas. These colors also represent older times. Harambe, and possibly
this family of gorillas in the future, has been left in the past when he was
killed. These colors not only stimulate fear, but nostalgia as well. As nostalgia
often does, it makes the audience rather sad and aids to understanding the
grief this family of gorillas may be feeling. Simply by using the colors black
and white, Granlund appeals to pathos in order to further his purpose.
Garnlund’s cartoon is very
simplistic, yet it sends out a powerful message. As it is mainly the younger
generations that fought against the wrongdoings that fell upon Harambe, it is
plausible that Granlund was reaching out to those younger people. By appealing
to pathos, Granlund accomplishes just that.
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