Analyze how a Political Cartoon Attempts to Persuade its Audience
The cartoonist argues that the death penalty perspective using lethal injection is wrong and that the legal system should not have the authority to terminate a human life for any crime, regardless of the gravity of the offence. Capital punishment, especially execution with lethal injection, is thus more immoral than the act of armed robbery. The artist uses satire to point out the ridiculousness of this view by exaggerating its effects. By comparing the pro-death-penalty position “Execute the victim!”, the cartoonist implies that the pro-death-penalty position violates human rights and is prone to mistakes. The cartoonist employs a variety of methods to make his case.
The pro-death-penalty stance
To begin with, the use of sarcasm and exaggeration emphasizes the ludicrousness of the pro-death-penalty stance. Second, the panels’ contrast highlights the moral ambiguity of the death sentence while focusing on the criminal’s safety and the safety of the innocent victims. Lastly, the cartoonist used irony to draw attention to the fallout of the pro-death penalty stance, suggesting that lethal injection might be used to kill innocent individuals.
Proponents of the death sentence
Proponents of the death sentence argue that it is necessary to protect society from “especially terrible individuals who represent a major danger to public safety” (Banner, 2022). Looking at the cartoon, the criminal threatens society and must be put to death, or else they will continue to conduct violent acts. In other words, the quote lends credence to the argument that the death penalty is warranted to deter violent offenders and keep the streets safe for the public.
The “Con” page of the discussion includes the following quote: “The death penalty is typically imposed in a prejudiced way, with poor and minority offenders disproportionately condemned to death”(Banner, 2022). Although opposed to capital punishment, the cartoon’s perspective is supported by this quote since it emphasizes the need to safeguard against the
unfair prosecution and killing of innocent individuals. People who oppose capital punishment often propose alternatives like life sentences without parole.
References
Banner, S. (2022). The death penalty. In The Death Penalty. Harvard University Press.
Grimes, R. (2012). Dead man walking. Chapter Five.
