2nd Rough Draft WP2

Anthropomorphism has been used through religion, mythology, literature, and now in popular culture. It is the act of giving human characteristics to non-human beings (Wikipedia). In religion certain animals, or half human and half animals, are symbols of gods. In early literature anthropomorphism was a well known literary device. For example in Aesop’s Fables, animals and weather were used to illustrate moral lessons (Wikipedia). Anthropomorphism has since been used to add humor in cartoons, literature, and even our television shows. In the past our culture found anthropomorphism humorous when it was placed in entertainment. For example in the comic strip Garfield, he talks to his owner Jon like it is an everyday conversation. We don’t think twice about the fact that he is talking in the first place. But as time has passed, it is not seen as something unusual anymore. We know it is not true in real life, but when we dive into literature or comics we put that aside and it is a common and natural thing. This comic strip plays off of the idea of the cat chasing the dog, but also attempts to remind us about anthropomorphism. Anthropomorphism is shown in this comic through the context of the image, the typography, and the aesthetics placed throughout the comic.

In this scene, a cat is standing in front of an open dryer. In between the washer and the wall, the dog is hiding. He has formed a plot to make the cat climb in, or reach, the dryer. He has even written directions on the door leading into the laundry room, the floor, and the dryer itself. The dog is using the statement “cat fud” to lure the cat to his desired location. In the background the dog is pleading to himself saying “oh please, oh please…” He is hoping that his plan will succeed.

The context of this comic strip is the dog chasing cat or predator vs. prey theme. Many cartoons and comic strips have used anthropomorphism to make more interesting ways for the theme to be carried out. In Wiley Coyote and the Road Runner, Wiley is tries to find any possible way to catch and eat the Road Runner. Traps, bombs, parachutes and more are all used my Wiley like it was no big deal. He sometimes chases after him with a fork and knife in hand and a bib around his neck, licking his lips and hoping he reaches his goal. In my chosen comic strip the dog is standing on his two hind legs hoping he won’t be seen. Interestingly enough, Wiley runs on his hind legs like a human is generally able to. In another cartoon show called Tom and Jerry, the mouse Jerry runs away from Tom on his two hind legs. He carries cheese on his back like it is luggage and even sits cross legged while he watches Tom get in trouble. Animals that don’t normally move around on two legs are standing around, walking, or chasing things while only using two legs. In these cartoons, anthropomorphism is used to make the animals literate. I Wiley Coyote and the Road Runner, Both Wiley and the Road Runner are given the ability to read. Wiley has to be literate to read the instructions for each of the “ACME” objects he uses against the Road Runner, while the Road Runner is able to read signs put in place by the coyote. Just like in other predator vs. prey comics and shows, Tom and Jerry is a show about the different ways in which Tom, a cat, tries to catch the mouse Jerry. Each time these cartoon predators try to strike, it all backfires or plans don’t go the way they intended. And yet they still include anthropomorphism. These anthropomorphic animals blush when they are embarrassed, have steam blowing out of their ears, or even stomp off mad when their plans fell through; these are things that never happen outside of comic Animals that don’t normally move around on two legs are running around chasing others with items or ideas that humans would use.

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 dog’s intelligence and makes the viewer question his motive. When looking closely at the writing on the box, it is slanted and looks like it was hastily written on the side. Inside the thought bubble, the dog’s thoughts are written in a much neater script. It proves that his thoughts are not completely scatterbrained.

Finally, the aesthetic elements in the comic reinforce the predator vs. prey theme and combine it with anthropomorphism. 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. 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. 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 crawl 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. A dog climbing up to get the detergent from the cabinet and putting it into the dryer is not seen as a big surprise. Another element in this image is the word “ACME” written on the front of the detergent box. 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 or injure the cat. Just like in the other predator vs. prey comics or cartoons, the dog has gained the intelligence and plotting ability that is well known to humans. 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.

Gary Larson has used elements in this comic that show the dog chasing cat theme. Like in older cartoons and comic strips the artists enhance their characters through anthropomorphism. However, it is now shoved under the rug like it is common everyday occurrences to have a dog talk to its owner, or run around on its hind legs to get to a desired goal. Larson presented this argument through his many animal characters in his Far Side comics to try and bring back the humor of animals being able to use characteristics of humans.