Illustrations are very effective when trying to portray an idea or message to the audience. This type of medium has always been popular and is growing even more because of its interesting aspects and styles. The illustration, Jabberwock, by John Tennial is a visual representation of the poem, "Jabberwocky," which was published by Lewis Carroll in 1871. This illustration conveys information about the content through the visual techniques. The visual techniques of placement, color, and line, as well as the added contextual information show the story and meaning behind the illustration Jabberwock. 

The content of the illustration is portrayed in a clear and effective manner. At first glance, it can be noticed that there is a large monster or creature in the center of the image. Using context clues, the large creature can be identified as the Jabberwock. Slightly below the monster, there is a small girl. From only looking at the two figures in the illustration, it shows there is a conflict between the two characters because the girl is holding a sword and it is pointed towards the Jabberwock. The Jabberwock is presented as a large and scary creature because of its scale in comparison to the entire size of the image. The Jabberwock seems to be a threat to the girl because she has a weapon pointed towards the creature as a method of self defense. The setting of the image is also important because it is in a dark and haunted forest. This shows the danger and mystery between the interaction of the Jabberwock and the girl. The image is very effective as a visual message when showing the battle between the two characters.

The specific visual aspects of the illustration are very important to the meaning and interpretation of the reader. The image is a drawing with lines and a style that seems to come from a pen. The background is a forest with many trees and obscure shading which creates a dark setting. This is used to show the darkness of the fight and the mystery of what the outcome would be between the Jabberwock and the girl. The foreground of the image is the Jabberwock and the girl. This is the main focal point of the illustration and it is shown through different techniques. The first technique is the placement of the Jabberwock. Because of the size and the placement of the Jabberwock, the reader's attention is drawn to the center of the illustration and shows its high level of importance. Another technique is the use of color in the illustration. Unlike the background scenery, the Jabberwock has more white on the stomach which shows a contrast from the dark background of the illustration. Because the Jabberwock and the girl are the two main characters of the picture, the brighter white color is used to highlight their importance and their roles as characters. 

The other most important visual element is the small girl in the bottom right corner. The girl holds a sword that is pulled back like she is ready to fight the Jabberwock. Although she is not in the center of the image, the utilization of color grabs the audience's eye. The girl, shaded darkly, stands on a white ground which makes her stand out.  The use of white in the image in contrast with the strong black background exposes the two main characters in the illustration. Color is important in the illustration and used wisely by the illustrator, John Tennial. The entire image is black and white, which shows clearly what is important in the image. The color black is used to show the dark and less important aspects of the image. On the other hand, the color white is used to show the main parts of the image and highlight their importance. 

The lines in the image are also a key aspect of the interpretation of the illustration. All of the lines used to create the image and short and crossed over one another. This gives the image a much different look than if the lines were more smooth and simple. The complexity of the lines shows many things. First of all, the entire illustration is darker, which increases the mystery of the situation between the creature and the girl. Also, the lines that cross over one another show the different textures of the objects and helps to make the different objects more identifiable to the audience. 

Along with the visual aspects and techniques of the image, the contextual information below the image gives the reader a better idea of what the image means. Contextual information paired with an image helps to further ones understanding and interpretation. Below the illustration, Jabberwock, the title is written along with the illustrator. This gives more information about the image and who created it. Also, the poem and author of the poem from which the illustration is based on is listed in the text below the image. This is very helpful to the audience and their interpretation of the illustration because it gives information and a background story about the image. The text helps to relate the poem and the illustration together as one collective story. The information about the origin of the illustration, the poem, could also be a helpful accessory when trying to understand the meaning of the illustration and story. A reader could read the poem and then use that information to further analyze the illustration.  Although the information given below the illustration does not provide the reader with a direct meaning and description of what is happening in the image, it includes a source with clues that the reader can then use to explore the meaning behind the image. 

Jabberwock shows the story of a monster and a hunter through the different techniques and styles in the illustration. The first being the clarity of the image and its straightforward message that is shown in the picture. Another technique is the use of color and line in order to highlight the important parts of the illustration with white and blank space and the less important parts of the illustration with the dark black shading. The last technique is the written text below the image which explains the author and the origin poem the illustration was inspired by. Because of the many different techniques, John Tennial's illustration Jabberwock, shows a detailed story of a creature and a girl with meaning behind every aspect of the illustration. 

