Emily+Block+D

Rationale

My propaganda is in a comic format, but the message it sends is similar to any other propaganda that existed during the time of Cultural Revolution. A lot of the propaganda that existed in China during the Cultural Revolution presented scenes of an ideal Communist society that Mao wanted to create. The purpose for this was so that they could show an example of what they wish to create in society, but also to encourage and motivate people to follow Mao’s rules and work hard. Although I don’t think there were any propaganda in comic form back in those days, my propaganda resembles images 16 and 23 in the sense that they show a scene of happy, satisfied Chinese people, and also display Mao as the ultimate ruler, one that everyone should follow and look up to. Chinese propaganda almost always included the “Little Red Book,” so I made every single Chinese citizen carry the book as well. Having Mao’s face be the largest and the most confident-looking is an example of Cult of Personality, which was a popular trend during the Cultural Revolution. By portraying powerful images of Mao, the Chinese Communist Party could successfully brainwash the people without even letting them know. Thus, the image of Mao had to be depicted as flawless, intimate with the citizens, caring, as well as confident and ambitious. In my propaganda, I tried to the same by making his body the largest. My propaganda is different from others during the time period because the people inside the comic directly praise Mao, which was usually only done in radio or television programs. By having the people worship Mao, the Chinese Communist Party could naturally brainwash the people into thinking that Mao Zedong is someone to praise to. Lastly, my propaganda resembles image in the sense that it displays a diverse group of people who still are grateful for Mao.