TOW #5 - Visual Text: "I Want You" Poster

"I Want You" - James M. Flagg

http://www.crazywebsite.com/Free-Galleries-01/USA_Patriotic/Pictures_WW1_Posters_LG/Uncle_Sam_Wants_You_1917_US_Army_Recruiting_Poster_Flagg-1LG.jpg

Uncle Sam has always been the "main man," a national personification, for the American government. This poster, created in 1917 to encourage recruitment in the United States army during World War I, is still highly recognizable today by the majority of the United States' population, which demonstrates its prominence in current society. James M. Flagg, the creator of the "I Want You" poster, was an artist and illustrator at the time, working in media ranging from paintings to cartoons. However, his most valued and remembered pieces of work are his political posters. During World War I, over four million copies of Flagg's poster were printed, and it was abundantly printed again during World War II, but Flagg made a few modifications to the latter poster.  To make recruitment in the United States army during these major wars, Flagg incorporated a variety of rhetorical devices in order to convey his message. Firstly, his contrasting color scheme helps his message, to join the army, stand out. With a white colored background and black colored text, the words "I Want You" stand out and catch the attention of the audience. In addition to the contrasting color scheme, the poster also has a color scheme that includes colors of the American flag. These colors illustrates what the United States itself wants from the people and gives a sense of nationalism, which appeals to ethos because this poster makes everyone feel like one. This poster does not only appeal to ethos, but it also appeals to pathos. By emphasizing the word "I Want You" on the poster, Flagg makes the audience feel as if they are needed and that they are an essential part to the American government. The important fact to keep in mind is that this poster has been around for almost 100 years now, and everyone still knows about it, showing that Flagg created a powerful poster that clearly achieved his purpose.