"He tells us: don't cry, Act!" from Scenes from the Private and Public Life of Animals 1832 - 1852

"He tells us: don't cry, Act!" is a lithograph created by J. J. Grandville, an artist known for his satirical illustrations that often featured anthropomorphic animals. Grandville was working in 19th-century France. His pieces offered commentary on the social and political issues of his time. He often used animals to represent human characteristics, behaviors, and societal structures. Here, a group of rodents is gathered around a cage where other rodents are being held captive, with the ever-watchful eyes of a cat peering from above. The print’s inscription, "He tells us: don't cry, Act!" suggests a call to action in the face of injustice or oppression. Grandville critiques human society by attributing human-like qualities to animals and highlights the absurdity and inequalities of human behavior. Consider, for example, the emotional weight of the scene, where the rodents are placed in a position of vulnerability and reflect human anxieties about power, control, and freedom. The print invites viewers to reflect on their own roles and responsibilities in addressing social and political issues, and in doing so emphasizes both the personal and collective dimensions of political action.