Symbolism In Pride Of Baghdad

Pride of Baghdad – Freedom at any cost?

Pride of Baghdad is a short graphic novel written by Brian K. Vaughn. In the spring of 2003, a pride of lions escaped from the Baghdad zoo during an American bombing raid. The Pride of Baghdad story revolves around these four lions that are lost and confused as they roam the destroyed streets of Baghdad in a struggle for their lives. Through its unique symbolism, Vaughn’s Pride of Baghdad makes use of each animal’s character by representing the Iraqi society during the war. I believe one of the most important pages is the conversation between Noor and one of the antelopes at the zoo. This page shows the quest of freedom by Vaughn’s female lion character shown as a libertarian. She characterizes the

When the invasion finally reaches the zoo, the pride of lions take shelter and the zoo is destroyed. The lions are not sure of where to go or what to do and are faced which heavy attacks coming from overhead. Vaughn illustrates the devastation as the animals run about the demolished zoo. He graphically displays a giraffe, being killed by the incoming artillery. This reveals how the Iraqi people who could not flee before the war started must have felt. While feeling the city, they had to witness many of their families and friends lose their

This is shown by my chosen page from the text. Noor was trying to orchestrate a plan to break out of the zoo, so they could be free. She tried to get the help from antelopes to break out of the zoo. Due to a lack of trust and fear, the antelope said no, just like many other Iraqis. This conversation between Noor and the antelope represents many discussions between the Iraqi people. In the text, Noor says, “Liberation is within our reach. We can’t wait around for some miracle to change the world for us. We have to take control of our own destinies.” (Vaughn and Henrichon) Noor remember the days of freedom when she was young, so is discontented with the walls of her cage and active in her pursuit of