Analysis Of The David Pope Cartoon: Pencils Down

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The David Pope cartoon “Pencils Down” appeared in “The Canberra Times” on 12 August 2012. The cartoon uses satirical devices including tone, exaggeration and captioning articulate a comment regarding Julia Gillard’s and Tony Abbottt’s response to the Gonski Review. The Gonski Review was an investigation into the way schools are funded. Gonski found the government is investing far too little in education particularly public schools. The cartoon targets both Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbottt. The image can be interpreted as a comment on the leaders’ response to the Gonski report and a wider metaphor for their leadership style. It is critical of both of them and implies neither is working in the best interests of education. Abbott is depicted as arrogant and breaking the rules. Gillard is depicted as hard working, but frantic and desperate. The cartoon is set in a classroom and Abbottt and Gillard are portrayed as students working on an open book exam regarding education funding. The caption indicating the exam is open book suggests the participants would be well prepared. …show more content…

Abbottt, recognisable due to his skinny legs and big ears, is placed at the back of the classroom and his demeanour is like a belligerent teenager. He has his feet on the desk, is speaking on his mobile phone and is ripping pages from the book, labelled Gonski, in front of him. He is also throwing the pages at the student, Gillard, in front of him. The character is not taking the exam, or the report, seriously. The image suggests he has not attempted the exam or even picked up his pencil. The exaggerated image of Tony Abbottt presents him as not interested in expert advice, not interested in the Gonski Review and prepared to break the

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