Propaganda Poster: The Message Which Millions Understand - Essay Example

The poster “The Greatest Mother in the World” is aimed at raising funds. The central image depicted on the paper is a woman dressed in the gown of a Red Cross nurse. She points at people depicted in the right corner. There is also a significant object which is located beside the woman: the red cross. At the bottom of the poster, there is a red line and an inscription in big white letters “WAR FUND 1943”. At the top of the page, there is the following inscription “The Greatest Mother in the World”.

There are also smaller objects which, nevertheless, should be regarded as important details. For instance, there are several aircraft above the people. Every detail, every object depicted, and even the choice of color should be regarded as meaningful points since they help to convey certain ideas or ideas. In the first place, it is necessary to point out that white and light blue colors prevail. These colors convey the idea of hope and good. People depicted at the bottom of the picture are rendered in dark colors.

These are ordinary people who seek help since they are in constant danger. The use of red color is used to achieve several goals. First, the Red Cross is a symbol of an institution that helps people in need. On the other hand, red color attracts people’s attention, and the most important information is depicted in the red line. People see that the poster “advertises” certain campaigns held to raise funds for the Red Cross or, more generally, for those in need. As far as the central image is concerned it is necessary to note that the woman can be regarded as the personification of appeal and compassion.

The woman’s facial expressions leave no doubt that she needs the help of each viewer. Interestingly, the woman is beautiful and she has make-up on her face. McEuen (2011) pays much attention to female appearance in the posters and claims that American posters revealed women who could not only take care of others but could be active enough to take care of themselves. The woman points out at the people who are waiting for help. Her posture is very informative as well, she is leaning and this also enhances the idea of appeal.

People at the bottom of the poster are not depicted in detail. This is rather a crowd. They hardly have faces because the poster’s designer stresses that there are many people in need. This impersonal depiction of people enhances the idea of quality: there are too many people, so only the entire nation can help all those who suffer from the war. As far as the Red Cross is concerned it is depicted to inform people of the way their help will reach those in need. Thus, those who donate can understand that they assist the Red Cross, an internationally acknowledged institution.

Admittedly, the designer of the poster uses all these visual tools to persuade people to donate to help unfortunate people. For instance, the woman depicted is a kind of an angel who comes from heaven to help people, but still asks for help since there is too much evil. Another informative image does not attract so much attention, but it creates the necessary atmosphere. Thus, the aircraft depicted conveys the idea of threat over people exposed to the horrors of war. It is necessary to point out that such symbolism is very appealing and the poster reaches its major aims.