Shut Up! I Can't Hear Myself! 1938

This drawing was made by David Low, using ink and crayon on paper. Low was a political cartoonist, and in this image he uses the familiar tools of his trade to make a powerful argument. Consider how Low has used his materials to make this point. The starkness of the ink creates a sense of urgency, while the crayon adds just enough color to highlight the absurdity of the situation. The “Nazi Anti-Democracy Propaganda” blares from an enormous organ, drowning out a lone voice speaking “Pro-Democracy Propaganda.” It is a potent metaphor, rendered with a few deft strokes. As a work of graphic satire, the image speaks to the power of visual communication, and its ability to sway public opinion. Low reminds us that in the battle of ideas, the loudest voice is not always the most truthful. This piece stands as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and the need to resist the seductive power of propaganda.