Iwo Jima Propaganda Analysis

On February 23, 1945, during the battle in Iwo Jima, United States Marines raised a flag atop Mount Suribachi. It was taken down and a second flag was raised. History savvy or not, but many people know the photograph of the soldiers raising the United States flag at Iwo Jima. Being a famous piece, several people took advantage of it and created their own adaptation of what they personally think. One interesting adaptation is an illustration of black figures of soldiers raising a scythe instead of the flag. Propaganda is commonly used in the form of war posters and it is usually a way of communication with the intention of influencing the outlook of an individual or group towards some cause. Although propagandas are sometimes used to manipulate emotions by showing selective facts, it can be very effective at passing on messages. The chosen medium utilize pathos visually in order to advance an argument by using certain elements such as colors, symbols, text and composition. The use of color is an effective element to use to argue a visual image. It is a powerful psychological trigger that can change a

A scythe is a tool use to reap grass or grains, in this case, life and property. The destructive purpose of war to guarantee success which ultimately result in loss of property, whether by destruction of homes and lands by troops or forceful seizure of property to further the cause of the war. This leaves unfortunate individuals homeless and penniless, desperate in the struggle for survival against starvation and disease that burdens everyone in its path. Devastation of the lands are unavoidable in an event of war, laying to waste what might have taken years of hard labor. The war leaves in its wake an unpromising wasteland. While one party might have gained something out of it before, it does not serve its purpose to anyone anymore. It is as some say, a “lose-lose”