How Things Mean

Symbols of Patriotism

• What do they suggest? How do they suggest it? Which elements of each image work on the viewer in various ways?
• Eagle: the eagle has an outline of the US on it’s face and the US is covered by a picture of our flag. It suggests extreme patriotism because it has 3 elements of our country that are core to our physical identity. This works on the viewer in various ways. It just screams America.
• Bulldog: The bulldog is a symbol of power for Great Britain. In this picture it’s in an English setting; a nice park on a lovely afternoon. It looks like he’s standing on the flag, so the whole thing reminds us of a protective guard dog, protecting the nation’s flag.
• Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite: These three words date back to the founding of France as a nation. The fact that they are enshrined in a building shows just how deep and long-lasting the meaning that those words have on the French. The words will never go away.

Peace Sign Buttons

• What do they suggest? How do they suggest it? Which elements of each image work on the viewer in various ways?
• Peace/Make Love Not War: There’s so much war in the world, so these buttons suggest that we don’t need to keep fighting and that we can be happy with the Love and Peace that we have. They suggest that we have the power to change violent trends in our society. The circles of the button give the viewers a more complete feel, very inclusive.

Thesis: Both sets of pictures have powerful connotations to them although they represent two entirely different things.