In this comic, Gary Larson tests the stereotypical roles of common household pets. Any person can recognize or remember the “dog chases cat” scenario. It has been around since before many of us ever knew. It is like the Road Runner and Wiley Coyote cartoon we all grew up knowing; predator vs. prey. In this cartoon a dog is standing in between a washing machine and the wall while a cat stands in front of an open dryer. Through our past experiences or preconceived thoughts, we are able to form together our own interpretation or idea about the comic presented.
When most think of the relationship between cat and dog, they think of the constant battle between the two. In other comic strips, the dog is generally seen as the less intelligent participant of the situation while the cat is more mischievous and intelligent. We can base this knowledge off of things we have seen in the past. For example, we can take what we have previously seen in the comic strip Garfield. In this comic strip Garfield is always getting unsuspected Odie into trouble or having fun at his expense. Odie is portrayed as a dog that just runs around with his tongue hanging out and not really knowing what is going on. In Gary Larson’s Far side comic, the roles are somewhat altered. Instead, we are directed to believe that the dog in this comic has devised this plan to lure the cat to the desired location. This is something we would traditionally assume the cat would have done to a dog.
This comic strip is set in what viewers would believe to be a 
laundry room. He pieces in seemingly pointless and common details into the picture, however each element works together to give the viewer more insight. They can also propose more insight to an argument or claim the illustrator was trying to portray. By themselves each portion is meaningless, however when each element creates one broad image and idea. There are two main forms of dialogue in this comic. Based upon the other elements in the comic, we are led to believe that they both are coming from the perspective of the dog. Earlier it was mentioned that Gary Larson was pushing on the stereotypes or roles of cats and dogs in their rivalry. The directions and written words give the idea of a plot made to draw the cat into the laundry room. Not only is this giving him/her human-like qualities, it is also representing some sort of intelligence in regards to the dog. In Compose Design Advocate(279), typography is defined as the study of how letter shapes work rhetorically and functionally. Typography is used in this comic between the two forms of dialogue. This “chicken scratch” that is written on the floor and doors makes the dog seem literate and able to form ideas and put plans into motion. Yet there is one flaw in the dogs “literacy”, he is unable to spell out such a simplistic word as food. This starts to undermine the dogs intelligence and makes the viewer question his motive. The placement of his writing causes the viewer to follow the text just as the cat would have. The second set of dialogue is placed in a cloud shaped circle with smaller circles decreasing in size until they reach the top of his head. Us as viewers depict this simple form of typography to be the dog’s unspoken words or thoughts. It is in much neater handwriting than that of the text that we assume is the directions he set out. When we place together this text with the surrounding illustrations we get a still a more complex insight.
laundry room. He pieces in seemingly pointless and common details into the picture, however each element works together to give the viewer more insight. They can also propose more insight to an argument or claim the illustrator was trying to portray. By themselves each portion is meaningless, however when each element creates one broad image and idea. There are two main forms of dialogue in this comic. Based upon the other elements in the comic, we are led to believe that they both are coming from the perspective of the dog. Earlier it was mentioned that Gary Larson was pushing on the stereotypes or roles of cats and dogs in their rivalry. The directions and written words give the idea of a plot made to draw the cat into the laundry room. Not only is this giving him/her human-like qualities, it is also representing some sort of intelligence in regards to the dog. In Compose Design Advocate(279), typography is defined as the study of how letter shapes work rhetorically and functionally. Typography is used in this comic between the two forms of dialogue. This “chicken scratch” that is written on the floor and doors makes the dog seem literate and able to form ideas and put plans into motion. Yet there is one flaw in the dogs “literacy”, he is unable to spell out such a simplistic word as food. This starts to undermine the dogs intelligence and makes the viewer question his motive. The placement of his writing causes the viewer to follow the text just as the cat would have. The second set of dialogue is placed in a cloud shaped circle with smaller circles decreasing in size until they reach the top of his head. Us as viewers depict this simple form of typography to be the dog’s unspoken words or thoughts. It is in much neater handwriting than that of the text that we assume is the directions he set out. When we place together this text with the surrounding illustrations we get a still a more complex insight.With the cat standing in front of the dryer with the text on the door, our assumption becomes clearer in that we can now bring to consideration that his plan is to make the cat cr
awl into the dryer to have the door shut on it. At first glance, you see the box on top of the washer as cat food that the dog probably used to try and lure the cat into the dryer. However, the cupboard door above the washer and dryer is open. This cupboard is, in most cases, where most people keep their detergent for their laundering needs. Detergent, as we know, is not meant for consumption in any case. It also has the word “ACME” written on the front of it. If we go back again to the Wiley Coyote and the Road Runner cartoon, we can see that every object that Wiley uses to try and capture the Road Runner has the same word written on the box or item itself.
When you combine the fact that the box not only comes from a detergent cabinet, but is also labeled “ACME” you can come to the conclusion that it is meant to kill. And even further, with the placement upon the washing machine viewers can assume that it was put into the dryer for the cat to eat. This set up is made into a Wiley Coyote and Road Runner relationship between the cat and dog and instills once again the well known cat chasing dog idea.
awl into the dryer to have the door shut on it. At first glance, you see the box on top of the washer as cat food that the dog probably used to try and lure the cat into the dryer. However, the cupboard door above the washer and dryer is open. This cupboard is, in most cases, where most people keep their detergent for their laundering needs. Detergent, as we know, is not meant for consumption in any case. It also has the word “ACME” written on the front of it. If we go back again to the Wiley Coyote and the Road Runner cartoon, we can see that every object that Wiley uses to try and capture the Road Runner has the same word written on the box or item itself.When you combine the fact that the box not only comes from a detergent cabinet, but is also labeled “ACME” you can come to the conclusion that it is meant to kill. And even further, with the placement upon the washing machine viewers can assume that it was put into the dryer for the cat to eat. This set up is made into a Wiley Coyote and Road Runner relationship between the cat and dog and instills once again the well known cat chasing dog idea.
Now that we have an argument set out, it is important to keep in mind the reason artists create comics ranging from one panel to multiple. Comics can be used for a variety of reasons. So
me people use comics as a way to criticize governments, leaders, ideas or other things. These comics are generally seen in the editorial section. While other comics, sometimes referred to Funnies, are located in the comic section of the newspaper are more are used for more of a care free kind of feel to allow people to relax or get a couple laughs. They come in a variety of topics, characters, and detail. Some can be as simple as stick people while others have more intricate detail and multiple panels. In terms of humor, artists can make the humor in their comic stand out while others make you think in order to appreciate the joke. In this context Gary Larson can present his topics in a setting in which they will be much appreciated. In comic strips even the simplistic details cause an idea based upon our past experiences and preconceived thoughts.
me people use comics as a way to criticize governments, leaders, ideas or other things. These comics are generally seen in the editorial section. While other comics, sometimes referred to Funnies, are located in the comic section of the newspaper are more are used for more of a care free kind of feel to allow people to relax or get a couple laughs. They come in a variety of topics, characters, and detail. Some can be as simple as stick people while others have more intricate detail and multiple panels. In terms of humor, artists can make the humor in their comic stand out while others make you think in order to appreciate the joke. In this context Gary Larson can present his topics in a setting in which they will be much appreciated. In comic strips even the simplistic details cause an idea based upon our past experiences and preconceived thoughts.
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