I am contemplating writing an essay(s) on the use of the octopus as a metaphor. However, literature on this topic seems sparse. Database and library searches are coming with very little. I can find plenty of examples of it, but no why this metaphor is so prevalent. Or any historical context in regards to when it became popular. I have examples from the 1900s (political cartoons, Frank Norris “The Octopus”). Are there earlier examples?
I am looking for recommendations on articles, websites or books relating to the use of octopuses, squid, tentacles etc in art/cartoon/illustration, and to a lesser extent the use of octopuses in literature or movies. Any actual examples of the use of octopuses and tentacles is also appreciated. In particular:
- In political cartoons, political posters or as propaganda.
- In pulp magazines or other pop culture
- And in any other areas where octopus imagery has been used to make a statement i.e. graffiti, art, protests
If you know of any, please leave a comment below, or send me a note. Thank you in advance!
EDIT: Added more info (26 Mar 08).
Book and Article List (last updated 7th of April 08)
The following are a few books I have come across (This list will be added to as I find things)
- THE SEARCH FOR THE GIANT SQUID - The Biology and Mythology of the World’s Most Elusive Sea Creature by RICHARD ELLIS
- MONSTERS OF THE SEA - The History, Natural History and Mythology of the Oceans Most Fantastic Creatures by RICHARD ELLIS
Online Articles:
- Justice, C., “Beware the Kraken from the Deep“, Pop Matters (The Tackle Box)
Beware the Kraken from the Deep
The Illustration Friday topic this week is/was “Pet Peeves”. I saw it as an opportunity to develop a sketch for the Vulgar Army project. It just happened the Illustration Friday topic was ideal.
My pet peeves are too numerous to recount. At the moment, it is generic by-numbers-octopus-propaganda and political cartoons. Not that I object to octopuses being used in propaganda/political cartoons. There have been some very imaginitive ones such as: L. D. Bradley, “Before the Trojan Horse is admitted, The Puzzled Citizen will have to be shown a little more fully, . .” Chicago Daily News, 3 February 1909 and the Harper’s Weekly cover Oct 6, 1900 showing the “Hunting of the Octopus” (Edit: “Hunting of the Octopus” by William Allen Rogers).
It is just, they are typically:
1) Write names of issues, organisations etc on limbs
2) Put head (or hat) of whomever you are trying to lampoon on octopus. Alternatively, tattoo their name across octopus forehead
3) Involve maps or globes.
Which isn’t to say these techniques don’t work. Take the Trojan Horse and the Hunting the Octopus. Both use labels to show what they are trying to represent. But they don’t just dump the octopus in the middle of the page, on a map or globe and stick someones head on it.
Edit (23rd March 3.30pm):
Links
David Hardy (April 2007) Octopuses and the NRA
TONMO.com (2003-2008) Octopuses & Propaganda
Quotidian Hell (May 2007) Quotidian Hell
