Time and time, again and again, humans have used propaganda to sway public opinion and evoke emotion. Propaganda can be found everywhere, whether it is through advertising or during a time war, it has remained effective and prevalent. In this war-time propaganda poster made by H.R. Hopps (1917), a scene is an intimidating of a gorilla kidnapping a woman on American soil, along with many smaller, intricate details to entice, as well as detail what is potentially going on. This piece of propaganda uses a bold subject in the foreground to catch your eye and bring out the emotion in your head, as well as intentionally placed details that build up something far greater than what just meets the naked eye at first glance. 

In order for propaganda to be effective, there needs to be something that tugs at the audience and gets their attention, but when it gets their attention, it has to effect them. In this poster, it presents an evil person. This person is someone who is viewed as a predator. First off, the gorilla takes up the majority of the poster and your eyes shoot directly into his. The wide, yellow eyes are something that are so startling and almost sends a shiver down your spine. After the initial startle, you see how the gorilla was once a physical animal, but then realize how is representing a man, but not just any man. The gorilla has an iconic helmet on his head that was worn by German soldiers. However, this soldier is Wilheim II, Germany’s militaristic Kaiser. The Kaiser was feared worldwide for his iron fist and powerful military that could have potentially taken over the world at the time. Representing the Kaiser in the form of a gorilla is very unique. Dehumanizing an extremely powerful ruler into a gorilla has two effects on the audience. Yes, the gorilla is far scarier than any picture of Wilheim II (although, he does have an atrocious mustache but that’s another story), but showing him as a beast, it takes away the fact that he is a real human. War is a scary thing of human history, and deep down, no one truly wants to kill anyone (in my opinion). So, putting the Kaiser in the body of a gorilla makes it seem like taking this guy down is doable as well as necessary. The bold worlds “DESTROY THIS MAD BRUTE” sounds urgent and that the imminent threat is going to be too close in a matter of time. Then towards the bottom of the page, the gorilla is standing on American soil as if the beast has just arrived, foaming at the mouth and ready to attack. For a poster that is meant to entice people to enlist in the US Army, this directly supports that idea by dehumanizing a cruel leader into a mad beast washing up on the shore of the United States of America. 

Being a United States citizen, we are granted with rights that are unheard of in almost all countries in the world. The protection of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness lays the foundation of the American Dream. It is why we have had such a diverse population. People come from far and wide, it is a land of endless opportunity. Being a soldier, you sacrifice your life to protect these liberties. The artist had cleverly integrated this into the poster. The Brute has captured a woman in the United States and she’s in clear distress. This lady happens to be wearing a green dress. This green dress represents Lady Liberty, a national symbol for our freedom. This piece of the poster is the most influential in my eyes, yet something that is tougher to pick up on right away. The gorilla is holding a club that says “Kultur” which is German for culture. You can assume that the gorilla attacked the woman with the club. This symbolizes the Germans invading American soil and eliminating our liberties and implementing their culture of militaristic oppression. The intention of this being a key detail of the poster is that it is the glue that holds this nation together and making it such a special place for anyone. The women looks so innocent in the dress, it gives off a feeling a anger and pride. It makes you feel singled out by the poster to do something about it, or no one will. The way it does this once you catch on to this detail is beautiful. American’s have historically been one’s to extend a helping hand. Whether it is in our community, or on a national level, we are always first responders and giving our aid. This pulls at the heartstrings of the inner American in all of us, especially a potential soldier during this time period. 

In conclusion, H.R. Hopps had tugged at the emotional attachment and pride that comes with being an American citizen. We are frightened by the Brute, but instructed to destroy him in order to protect the liberties in which we have been so blessed to have, and with the can-do, American Dream attitude. 