Mouse

The illustration, “Mouse,” depicts a cat that has, as many cats do, captured and killed a mouse. The image, however, also depicts three other mice wearing yellow vests with the word “press” written on them, taking pictures and recording the incident as it happens. This image, though it appears as a silly and childish image, is one that really speaks volumes and covers a very sensitive and important topic: humanity and humility.

By creating this illustration, Pawel Kuczynski was hoping to make a comment on the press. Whether is be news reporters looking for their next juicy, cutting edge story, or paparazzi hoping to snap a picture of the biggest celebrities during an embarrassing or intimate moment, Kuczynski is attempting to call out the lack of humanity and humility the press has, regarding the lives and wellbeing of their fellow human beings. Kuczynski is pointing out the complete lack of empathy had by those in industries that thrive off of the misfortune, embarrassment, intimacy or tragedy of others. 

In this image, the three mice wearing vests and taking pictures, representative of the ruthless and sometimes heartless members of the press, are completely turning their back on the fourth mouse. This fourth mouse, in the cat’s mouth, is clearly in desperate need of help, as it is at risk of death or it has already been tragically killed by the cat. Despite the troubling position this fourth mouse is in, the other three are looking and hoping to profit off of the death and potential torture and agony of their fellow mouse. They have completely turned their backs on one of their own in an attempt to get a good picture or a juicy story. Unfortunately, there are people in the world today that do this exact thing. The press or paparazzi are constantly looking for opportunities to, whether they know it or not, turn their backs on other human beings because we live in a society that values profiting off of others’ misfortune.

“But newspapers have a duty to truth. They tell the truth only as the exception. Zola wrote that the mendacity of the press could be divided into two groups: the yellow press lies every day without hesitating. But others, like the Times, speak the truth on all inconsequential occasions, so they can deceive the public with the requisite authority when it becomes necessary. I don't mean to offend the journalists; they aren't any different from other people. They're merely the megaphones of the other people” (Kingsolver, The Lacuna). This quote from American novelist, Barbara Kingsolver, I believe, perfectly embodies the message that Pawel Kuczynski is trying to spread with this illustration; the press are a borderline dangerous organization of individuals that show absolutely no remorse, compassion or desire to spread truth and positivity. It is absolutely disgusting that people treat each other in such horrible ways to make a quick buck, despite the fact that everybody, despite their level of fame or status, deserves respect. 

One final, easily looked over aspect of this image that I find very interesting is the fact that the cat has yellow eyes. I do not think that it is any sort of coincidence that Kuczynski chose this color, the same color that the mice are wearing, for the color of the cat’s eyes. This is symbolic of the fact that in every situation, there is always an opportunity for the press to put their own spin on it to push for the narrative they want any given story to have. I think that Kuczynski wanted to express his own belief that the press, in a sense, create and morph the situation they are photographing to create a more interesting story. This fits in line completely with the idea of the press showing absolutely no remorse for the individuals they are photographing, yet instead, they are even possibly making the lives of those they are documenting worse for their own personal gain. Kuczynski wants to emphasize the fact that we are all human and we all should be treated as such.