Would You Oblige Me with a Match Please? c. 1938

David Low's "Would You Oblige Me with a Match Please?" (c. 1938) is a satirical cartoon that depicts the threat of fascism to democracy. The cartoon shows a man, labeled "Democracy", sitting in a chair that is connected to a bomb by a lit fuse. A figure labeled "Dictatorship" stands behind him, offering a match. Low's use of political caricature and visual humor was employed to raise awareness of the dangers of fascism. The image resonates with the anxieties of the time, highlighting the precarious state of democracy and the looming threat of totalitarian regimes.