The cartoon from 1933 depicts the League of Nations as a doormat, with a Japanese soldier trampling over the League and its covenant while it bows down and welcomes the soldier. A figure representing the British Foreign Secretary powders the League's face in an attempt to save face and make excuses rather than stand up to Japan. The cartoonist David Low criticized the League's leaders for allowing Japan to triumph over the League in Manchuria without consequences.

1. This cartoon of 1933, by the British
cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.

2. What is the message of this cartoon?

3. To do this question, you
need first to borrow two
concepts from English:
Denotation
(what you see)
Connotation
(how it affects its audience)
This cartoon of 1933, by the British
cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.

4. Denotation
A Japanese soldiers tramples
over a beautiful woman and the
document beside her.
Connotation
The beautiful woman represents
the League, and the document is
the Covenant.
Meaning
Japan – by its actions in
Manchuria – is trampling over
the League and the
Covenant.
This cartoon of 1933, by the British
cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.

5. Denotation
The figure in the doorway bows
down to the Japanese soldier
and presents him with flowers.
Connotation
Bowing represents servility,
surrender. Flowers welcome a
conqueror.
Meaning
The League is not standing up
to Japan – rather the League
has allowed Japan to win.
This cartoon of 1933, by the British
cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.

6. Denotation
Another figure is powdering the
League’s face with a ‘face-saving kit’.
Connotation
The figure represents the British
Foreign Secretary John Simon.
‘Saving face’ = making excuses.
Meaning
The British are not interested
in doing the right thing – they
are just trying to ‘save face’
(not look as spineless as they
are).
This cartoon of 1933, by the British
cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.

7. Finally, always remember
to look at:
Origin
(who drew it)
Date
(when it was published)
This cartoon of 1933, by the British
cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.

8. Origin
The British cartoonist David
Low.
Details
Low was a great supporter of the
League.
Significance
Low (as many British people)
was outraged saw by the
Manchuria failure, which he
saw as a great humiliation for
the League.
This cartoon of 1933, by the British
cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.

9. Date
1933.
Details
When it was clear that the
League was not going to do
anything about Japan.
Significance
It is a criticism, not of the
League, but of its leaders, who
have allowed Japan to win.
This cartoon of 1933, by the British
cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.

10. Date
1933.
Details
When it was clear that the
League was not going to do
anything about Japan.
Significance
It is a criticism, not of the
League, but of its leaders, who
have allowed Japan to win.
This cartoon of 1933, by the British
cartoonist David Low, is entitled:
'The Doormat'.