TASKs for democracy

Tips and potential difficulties
This learning sequence is based on an analysis of The Story of One of “Hitler’s Children”. Disney Studios have
re-released some of their propaganda films under the heading Walt Disney Treasures – On the Frontlines. They
can be found online.
It is important to differentiate the three notions to be considered with the participants. You can work together
with the participants on a brief excerpt or sequence from the film to get the exercise going and give them
an example.
The concepts of denotation and connotation are sometimes hard for learners to understand. They are, however,
a requirement for analysing the images (first still, then moving). Particular attention has to be paid to sound
(music, voices, noises), which has a strong influence on connotations as perceived by viewers.
The task will be easier if the methodology of analysing still images has already been addressed with the participants.
If it is the first time the participants are dealing with this type of document, it may be necessary to
help them more by proposing some avenues for reflection.
If you wish, you may make a link with more contemporary events.
Further reading
Roffat S. (2006), Animation et propagande, L’Harmattan, Paris.
TASK SHEET
You can easily start the sequence with another cartoon film from that era. Dozens of propaganda
cartoons were produced with figures including Donald Duck, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Popeye and,
for instance, Tex Avery’s Wolf.
Many propaganda posters from the Second World War are easily accessible online, for all the countries
involved in the conflict.
You can also make a link with more contemporary events. For instance, in April 2008, the Hamas
movement’s television station, Hamas TV, broadcast a children’s puppet show in which the hero, a
young boy, stabbed the American president to death. It showed him stabbing the president and
shouting: “You’re impure and I’ve turned the White House into a mosque”.
In November 1993, the American television station, Fox, broadcast Baghdad Café as part of Warner
Bros. Corporation’s Animaniacs series. It showed cartoon stars stuffing sticks of dynamite into Saddam
Hussein’s trousers (he was renamed “So Darn Insane” for the occasion).
American anti-Communist propaganda is also full of examples.
Activity 37 – How well equipped are you to deal with propaganda? Page 199