Atomic fear (TOW #8Visual Text)

       World War II was a time period characterized by ambiguity and depression, and the overarching fear of humanity’s destructive potential was, ironically, manifested at its height during the end of the gruesome war, characterized most prominently by the devastating power of atomic bombs on Japanese land. Responding to the fearsome atomic bombs, on August 8 of 1945 an American newspaper, The Anderson Independent, published the political cartoon “We have come to stay” and straightforwardly and effectively questioned the future of humanity under such precarious foundations.

       Both the newspaper’s influence and the cartoon’s simple manifestation helped readers to instantly grasp the core idea of uncertainty in an atomic age yet to come. The newspaper was popular and widely read throughout the United States, especially in the South, and in turn the political cartoon targeted all Americans in the United States, literate and illiterate, with a strong certainty that it will receive many readers. In addition, the simple outlines with dark and white contrast also made the whole message of the cartoon explicit to the readers. The two gigantic monsters, shaped like the common perceived representation of death, in the picture each carried a suitcase that together became “atomic bomb”, directly referencing the horrible and possible long-lasting effects of atomic power. On the other end, the human is portrayed as defenseless and weak, with only an umbrella to protect himself. The image instantly allows the reader to contrast the mere strength between atomic bombs and humanity, and forces the readers to consider about the huge destructive potential of atomic bombs and the uncertain outcomes of the future if these bombs continue to exist.

       What made the implications of the political cartoon seem even more convincing was its use of historical reference. When the cartoon was released, the news of Japan being nuked was widespread around the world, and most, if not all, of the American people were probably aware of the fact. In the cartoon, the human wearing Japanese traditional clothes, shoes, and umbrella is definitely an representation of Japan. The atomic bombs had already visited Japan, the readers knew it and the author knew it. Yet, what neither the author nor the readers knew, and what the author was driving toward, was if the United States, if humanity, would follow the same fate as Japan in the future.

       The answer was and still is uncertain.