This cartoon of 1933, by the British

cartoonist David Low, is entitled:

'The Doormat'.  
What is the message of this cartoon?
To do this question, you
need first to borrow two
concepts from English:

Denotation
(what you see)

Connotation
(how it affects its audience)

This cartoon of 1933, by the British

cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.  
Denotation
A Japanese soldiers tramples
over a beautiful woman and the
document beside her.

Connotation
The beautiful woman represents
the League, and the document is
the Covenant.

Meaning
Japan – by its actions in
Manchuria – is trampling over
the League and the
Covenant.

This cartoon of 1933, by the British

cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.  
Denotation
The figure in the doorway bows
down to the Japanese soldier
and presents him with flowers.

Connotation
Bowing represents servility,
surrender. Flowers welcome a
conqueror.

Meaning
The League is not standing up
to Japan – rather the League
has allowed Japan to win.

This cartoon of 1933, by the British

cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.  
Denotation
Another figure is powdering the
League’s face with a ‘face-saving kit’.

Connotation
The figure represents the British
Foreign Secretary John Simon.
‘Saving face’ = making excuses.
Meaning
The British are not interested
in doing the right thing –
they are just trying to ‘save
face’ (not look as spineless as
they are).

This cartoon of 1933, by the British

cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.  
Finally, always remember
to look at:

Origin
(who drew it)

Date
(when it was published)

This cartoon of 1933, by the British

cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.  
Origin
The British cartoonist David Low.

Details
Low was a great supporter of
the League.

Significance
Low (as many British people)
was outraged saw by the
Manchuria failure, which he
saw as a great humiliation for
the League.

This cartoon of 1933, by the British

cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.  
Date
1933.

Details
When it was clear that the
League was not going to do
anything about Japan.

Significance
It is a criticism, not of the
League, but of its leaders, who
have allowed Japan to win.

This cartoon of 1933, by the British

cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.