Another Pied Piper
This cartoon is about the modernist movement of the 1920’s, closely associated with free silver movement and populsim. It was a slow movement towards science that had been long in the making, but became controversial after the American public beheld all the gruesome injuries brought about by the scientific advances involved in the Great War.
The significance of this cartoon is that it is clearly negative towards the modernists; as it calls the supporter of Darwinian Evolution a “pied piper,” as such a term is usually reserved for charismatic and persuasive people, especially those who lead others away from the perceived correct path. As a result, his movement towards disbelief in God represents fear that the American republic will become more secular, and this cartoon is an attempt to slander those that support this secularization. It shows another way in which the Americans are willing to discredit those who wish for change, is representative of a large movement in the revived fundamentalist and reactionism in the 20’s. It is an attempt, albeit failed in the long run, to ruin those who wish to change the perspective of America.
While the document is political slander, it also shows a cultural trend, an attempt to suppress new ideas. America has has no shortage of revolutionaries, seeking new ideas, new roads, or even just seeking. And, as this cartoon shows, the reaction to new cultural movements are rarely cheeky.
The significance of this cartoon is that it is clearly negative towards the modernists; as it calls the supporter of Darwinian Evolution a “pied piper,” as such a term is usually reserved for charismatic and persuasive people, especially those who lead others away from the perceived correct path. As a result, his movement towards disbelief in God represents fear that the American republic will become more secular, and this cartoon is an attempt to slander those that support this secularization. It shows another way in which the Americans are willing to discredit those who wish for change, is representative of a large movement in the revived fundamentalist and reactionism in the 20’s. It is an attempt, albeit failed in the long run, to ruin those who wish to change the perspective of America.
While the document is political slander, it also shows a cultural trend, an attempt to suppress new ideas. America has has no shortage of revolutionaries, seeking new ideas, new roads, or even just seeking. And, as this cartoon shows, the reaction to new cultural movements are rarely cheeky.