Lesson One:  Advertisement Propaganda

Return to Main Page

Students will critically analyze a DVD cartoon and advertisement to assess the artist's interpretation of the portrayal of Japanese sent to the veiwer.  Students will view the 1941 Superman cartoon "Japoteurs."  After a whole class discussion, they will be given this worksheet to fill out and keep in their literature guidebook.

DVD to be shown:

Japoteurs-Superman: Nature vs. War.  DVD from GoodTimes.  www.goodtimes.com.  Digitally restored classic collection 1941-1943

 Name__________________________________________

"How to Tell You Friends from the Japs,"

Time, December 22, 1941, page33

Virtually all Japanese are short.  Japanese are likely to be stockier and broader-hipped than short Chinese.  Japanese are seldom fat; they often dry up and grow lean as they age.  Although both have the typical epicanthic fold of the upper eyelid, Japanese eyes are usually set closer together.  The Chinese expression is likely to be more placid, kindly, open; the Japanese more positive, dogmatic, arrogant.  Japanese are hesitant, nervous in conversation, laugh loudly at the wrong time.  Japanese walk stiffly erect, hard heeled. Chinese, more relaxed, have an easy gait, sometimes shuffle.

World War II Images of Japanese

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, shocked Americans and prompted hysterical reactions in many quarters.  One result was a considerable body of anti-Japanese propoganda, especially in popular culture. 

Read the Time Magazine article and look at the image below, and view the Superman cartoon "Japoteurs."  Answer the following questions:

1.  Why do you think Americans were so worried about Japanese sponsored sabotage?

___________________________________________________________________________________

2.  What stereotypical images of Japanese are evident?

____________________________________________________________________________________

3.  What parallels do you see between the World War II portrayals of Japanese and contemporary portrayals of Arabs?

____________________________________________________________________________________

4.  What characteristics of "Americanism" are at the forefront of "Japoteurs?"

____________________________________________________________________________________