The cartoon depicts Hitler and Stalin meeting in the rubble of Poland after invading and dividing the country between them. While greeting each other with smiles, they exchange insults under their breath, revealing their alliance is one of convenience based on mutual hatred and that they are only pretending to like each other. The cartoonist David Low created it to criticize the Nazi-Soviet pact and show the true nature of Hitler and Stalin's relationship.

1. The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’.
Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the
war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The
scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin
replies: 'The bloody assassin of the
workers, I presume?'
This cartoon by the British cartoonist
David Low appeared in the Evening
Standard on 20 September 1939.

2. What is the message of this cartoon?

3. To do this question, you
need first to borrow two
The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’. concepts from English:
Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the
war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The Denotation
scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin (what you see)
replies: 'The bloody assassin of the
workers, I presume?'
Connotation
(how it affects its audience)
This cartoon by the British cartoonist
David Low appeared in the Evening
Standard on 20 September 1939.

4. Denotation
Hitler and Stalin meet. They are
both smiling broadly.
The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’.
Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the
war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The Connotation
scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin It is a smug / greedy / evil/
replies: 'The bloody assassin of the pleased-with-themselves smile.
workers, I presume?'
Meaning
They are both unpleasant,
greedy, deceitful characters.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist
David Low appeared in the Evening
Standard on 20 September 1939.

5. Denotation
Hitler and Stalin stand over the
body of a dead Polish soldier.
The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’.
Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the
war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The Connotation
scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin ‘United over Poland’ has symbolic
replies: 'The bloody assassin of the meaning.
workers, I presume?'
Meaning
Hitler and Stalin have formed
an alliance of convenience, in
order to invade, destroy and
divide Poland between them.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist
David Low appeared in the Evening
Standard on 20 September 1939.

6. Denotation
Both men are armed. All around
is the rubble of their successful
The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’.
war against Poland.
Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the
war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The Connotation
scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin Guns = militarism, violence,
replies: 'The bloody assassin of the murder, conquest.
workers, I presume?'
Meaning
Hitler and Stalin, having
invaded Poland from west and
east, now meet in the middle,
having defeated Poland.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist
David Low appeared in the Evening
Standard on 20 September 1939.

7. Denotation
Hitler and Stalin greet each
other with exaggerated
The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’.
politeness and smiles.
Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the
war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The Connotation
scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin Such actions usually are done by
replies: 'The bloody assassin of the friends … but in this case they are
workers, I presume?'
obviously pretending.
Meaning
Hitler and Stalin are only
pretending to like each other.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist
David Low appeared in the Evening
Standard on 20 September 1939.

8. Denotation
Despite the exaggerated greetings,
they are saying nasty things to each
The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’.
other under their breath.
Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the
war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The Connotation
scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin ‘Scum’ reflects Hitler’s racism.
replies: 'The bloody assassin of the ‘Assassin of the workers’ reflects
workers, I presume?'
Stalin’s communism.
Meaning
Really, they hate each other
on principle, and have only
united to divide Poland.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist
David Low appeared in the Evening
Standard on 20 September 1939.

9. Finally, always remember
to look at:
The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’.
Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the Origin
war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The (who drew it)
scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin
replies: 'The bloody assassin of the
workers, I presume?'
Date
(when it was published)
This cartoon by the British cartoonist
David Low appeared in the Evening
Standard on 20 September 1939.

10. Date
20 September 1939.
The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’.
Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the
war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The Details
scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin Three days after the Russians had
replies: 'The bloody assassin of the invaded Poland to meet German
workers, I presume?'
forces invading eastwards.
Significance
Low is responding to the
successful conquest of Poland
by the Nazi-Soviet Pact.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist
David Low appeared in the Evening
Standard on 20 September 1939.

11. Origin
The British cartoonist David Low.
The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’.
Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the
war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The Details
scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin Low hated Hitler, and believed that
replies: 'The bloody assassin of the he wanted to take over the world.
workers, I presume?'
Significance
Low is giving vent to all his
loathing and disgust at Hitler
(and Stalin), by showing the
true nature of their alliance.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist
David Low appeared in the Evening
Standard on 20 September 1939.