[English] Mark Knight cartoons analysis

[vea]

Image 1:
  Mark Knight’s cartoon in the Herald Sun contends that the national broadband network scheme is pointless. Dominating the centre of the image is Prime Minister Julia Gillard, she is portrayed as plump and having an exaggerated nose. Knight presents Gillard this way to undermine her and mock the Labor government’s national broadband scheme. As a result, viewers are less likely to take Gillard seriously. A speech bubble in the centre of the frame contains words from Gillard explaining to reporters how “The $36 billion national broadband network will allow Australians in the future to download nude photos of St Kilda footballers 100 times faster than today”. By doing so, Knight elucidates the notion that the broadband network is pathetic and would be of little use to the public and positions readers to feel as though the broadband network scheme is unnecessary. Typical of Mark Knight cartoons, there is a creature in a corner of the frame. In this cartoon, it says “That’s the cost/benefit analysis?” In this case, Knight uses it to suggest to viewers that they should be expecting more from the Labor government. In effect, viewers of the image are likely to feel as though there should be a higher return for the amount of money invested in the scheme.

Image 2:
  Mark Knight’s cartoon in the Herald Sun contends that ticket inspectors are being too aggressive and abusing their power. The focal point of the cartoon is a scrawny male reading a sign that says “In case of emergency like if you are being bashed by a ticket inspector push button and speak”. It is apparent that Knight suggests that being bashed by ticket inspectors are an everyday event for commuters. This is highly likely to engender anger in viewers as they feel that ticket inspectors are exploiting their position and injuring commuters. In the background, there are two ticket inspectors. Knight portrays them as thugs wearing black robes and attempts to adorn a sense of iniquity in them. This is reinforced by the speech bubble coming from the creature in the bottom left corner of the frame which asks “Who inspects the inspectors?” In effect, viewers may become cautious of ticket inspectors and seek for intervention from other authorities.

Image 3:
  Mark Knight’s cartoon in the Herald Sun undermines the Myki ticketing system and labels it has “very expensive”. Positioned in the centre of the frame is politician Terry Mulder performing a tradesman’s job and being tangled up by wires. Knight does this to symbolise the government being all muddled up as a result of the failed Myki ticketing system. In effect, viewers will be informed of the unobvious failure that the ticketing system is. The “very expensive boat anchor” is a metaphor which implies that the ticketing system is an expensive scheme which is stuck- not going anywhere. This is to adorn a sense of impending failure in viewers, which may cause them to feel frustrated that so much taxpayer’s money has gone to waste. 

[ellecee]

I think you did a good job in highlighting the focus points of each cartoon. You've made good use of quotes to enforce your ideas and have also included what readers feel as a result of looking at the cartoon. So, good job!

For future, maybe elaborate on some of your ideas so there is more depth to a few of them, as for some points you have only touched on a bit. But, I guess this is just a paragraph so it should be fine. Overall, this is a good analysis.
 

[DNAngel]

Image 1:
  Mark Knight’s cartoon in the Herald Sun contends that the national broadband network scheme is pointless. Dominating the centre of the image is Prime Minister Julia Gillard,Expression here she is portrayed as plump and having an exaggerated nose. Knight presents Gillard this way to undermine her and mock the Labor government’s national broadband scheme. As a result, viewers are less likely to take Gillard seriouslyA little more depth of analysis here?. A speech bubble in the centre of the frame contains words from Gillard explaining to reporters how “The $36 billion national broadband network will allow Australians in the future to download nude photos of St Kilda footballers 100 times faster than today”. By doing so, Knight elucidates the notion that the broadband network is pathetic and would be of little use to the public and positions readers to feel as though the broadband network scheme is unnecessary.A little more explaining could be done here Typical of Mark Knight cartoons, there is a creature in a corner of the frame. In this cartoon, it says “That’s the cost/benefit analysis?” In this case, Knight uses it to suggest to viewers that they should be expecting more from the Labor government. In effect, viewers of the image are likely to feel as though there should be a higher return for the amount of money invested in the scheme.Good.

Image 2:
  Mark Knight’s cartoon in the Herald Sun contends that ticket inspectors are being too aggressive and abusing their power. The focal point of the cartoon is a scrawny male reading a sign that says “In case of emergency like if you are being bashed by a ticket inspector push button and speak”. It is apparent that Knight suggests that being bashed by ticket inspectors are an everyday'everyday' could be replaced with 'common' or 'frequent' to sound less colloquial event for commuters. This is highly likely to engender anger in viewers as they feelAvoid using 'feel' that ticket inspectors are exploiting their position and injuring commuters. In the background, there are two ticket inspectors. Knight portrays them as thugs wearing black robes and attempts to adorn a sense of iniquity in them. This is reinforced by the speech bubble coming from the creature in the bottom left corner of the frame which asks “Who inspects the inspectors?” In effect, viewers may become cautious of ticket inspectors and seek for intervention from other authoritiesAuthorities such as? You need to be more specific here.

Image 3:
  Mark Knight’s cartoon in the Herald Sun undermines the Myki ticketing system and labels it has “very expensive”. Positioned in the centre of the frame is politician Terry Mulder performing a tradesman’s job and being tangled up by wires. Knight does this to symbolise the government being all muddled up as a result of the failed Myki ticketing system. In effect, viewers will be informed of the unobviousWord choice? failure that the ticketing system is. The “very expensive boat anchor” is a metaphor which implies that the ticketing system is an expensive scheme which is stuckWeak expression- not going anywhere. This is to adorn a sense of impending failure in viewers, which may cause them to feel frustrated that so much taxpayer’sAgain. A little lazy with the use of 'so much' money has gone to waste. 

Overall, I think that you have accurately identified and explained each component of the cartoon. However, there are a few minor issues here and there. For example, sometimes you tend to move on to another persuasive technique too quickly; not describing it in detail. Also, your expression has let you down sometimes. For example 'unobvious', 'so much' and 'everyday' all could have been better expressed. Having said that, I believe that you have much potential for stronger analysis pieces in the future.

I would rate this a 7/10. A solid effort overall.