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Andrin Simeon
Visual Analysis Essay
Final Draft
English 1010
Mr. Anderson
March 21, 2014

Literate Sharks and the Extinction of Mankind
We are all trapped on an island and we have nowhere to escape. This is a
reality, but many inhabitants of earth, our island, don't want to accept this. This issue is
the topic of the cartoon drawn by Nick D. Kim, an environmental chemist at the
University of Massey in Wellington, New Zealand. Kim uses the pseudonym "Nick" to
sign his political cartoons, which he has published in many scientific journals, as well as
on his website since 1994. In this cartoon, Kim addresses the effects of global warming
and contributes to the worldwide discussion of this issue. This cartoon was first
published on the cartoonists website in 2009. The audience of this cartoon are viewers
who are familiar with Kims views on the environment and who share his view that rising
sea level will become a serious problem if global warming continues. The cartoonist
achieves the purpose of communicating his opinion on the topic through a humorous
approach to the subject, although the prospects of being consumed by
sharks/mankinds extinction are serious issues. I will discuss the strategies Kim uses to
deliver his message and motivate viewers to consider their attitude to global warming in
the next paragraphs.
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Kims cartoon is colorful and the number of images and the amount of text are
balanced, so that it is easy for the viewer to evaluate the information presented. The
author uses an uncluttered design that includes only a few elements, both words and
figures. The image of the man, who represents mankind, is placed in the background
and the sharks are the eye-catcher that makes us become interested in the cartoon,
since one of them is holding a document on a subject that Kims audience will be
familiar with. The text supports the image of the sharks; they are actually discussing the
topic of the cartoon, global warming, by making reference to one of its effects. There is
very little text and it is written in a casual font style that supports Kims appeal to the
viewers imagination and humor, since imagination is required to appreciate the cartoon.
Kim uses a common rhetorical strategy, humor, to persuade viewers to consider
the seriousness of climate change. He draws humanized shark images with non-
aggressive, smiling faces and large eyes, as well as a castaway on the island who is
fishing without a care about the future. The man doesnt try to use the palms to build a
shelter or even a raft to try to return to civilization. The sharks appear to be reading the
daily paper and chatting with each other, which is humorous, because that is
incongruous with what we associate with sharks. In our culture, they are considered to
be aggressive animals only concerned with preying on fish and even humans. Kim uses
bright pop art colors and a modern drawing style with cartoon-like images to create a
casual atmosphere, that results in a humorous response on the part of the viewer.
Through the use of humor, Kim succeeds in motivating the viewers to consider his
claim, that global warming will have one final result, the extinction of mankind, as
represented by the sharks plans to prey on the castaway.
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Another way in which the author makes a point through the use of humor is by
comparing the figures of man and shark. The man is clearly from an urban background
and not well adapted to the environment. Hes wearing completely inappropriate
clothing for the situation-checkered pants and a sloppy shirt. Hes also wearing
sunglasses, which add to the image of a tourist who is carefree and relaxed, not
concerned about his future or the future of the planet. (Pictured below figure 1)

(Figure 1)
In comparison, the sharks are perfectly adapted to their environment. Their bodies are
streamlined and the skin is smooth, which helps them to move effectively through water,
their environment and they dont damage nature, as humans do.
The author effectively uses irony by showing the happy sharks discussing the
report on the rising sea level, without them realizing that global warming will lead to their
extinction as well. Once global warming worsens, life on the planet, including in the
oceans, will not be possible. The sharks are not aware of the true consequences
because they cant think far ahead, so they dont look concerned. They dont realize that
they will become extinct also when the effects of climate change become too serious.
On a deeper level, the sharks symbolize the humans who are only concerned about
profiting from earth and its natural resources, without considering the long-term effects
of this behavior. The image of the educated, literate shark reading the report on rising
The man is carefree and only
concerned with short-term
needs, not with the long-term
need to rescue himself. Hes
obviously not well-adapted to
the environment.
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sea levels and expecting the opposite result of what will occur is ironical (pictured below
figure 2). The cartoonist is successful in persuading viewers that his claim of rising sea
levels with serious consequences for all life on the planet is valid.




(Figure 2)
The author also successfully uses pathos by appealing to the viewers emotions
and values. Global warming is a very emotional topic because the results threaten all of
us. Kim uses emotive language, for example the use of the words eat him used in
connection with the sharks intentions toward the castaway. We also associate the
image of a shark with danger and being threatened. Kim uses these elements of the
cartoon to engage the viewers emotionally.
Kim also uses an image of scientific documentation, in the form of the report on
rising sea levels. The report supports the logical appeal of Kims argument, since his
audience will be aware of the countless studies in this area, which show how real and
serious the topic of Kims cartoon is. Thus the cartoonist demonstrates that his
argument is based on scientific evidence.
Example of the use of
irony to persuade viewers
to support cartoonists
argument
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These are examples of the cartoonists use of design elements, images and
rhetorical strategies such as humor, irony and pathos make a statement about one of
the most serious effects of global warming. Although it is a serious subject, the author
allows viewers to laugh a little about mans lack of concern. Kim succeeds in influencing
and motivating the viewers to consider the serious effects of the issue .and to inform
themselves on the topic.



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Work Cited
Kim, Nick D. "Sharks." Cartoon. Lab-initio.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.