THE HUMAN CONDITION
The human condition comprises all the experiences a human undergoes in their life. There is a list of physical, emotional and social events that we as mortal beings are faced with. Determining the result, whether positive or negative, is usually up to us as individuals. The way that we deal and react to these events is what is known as the human condition. The human condition is multifaceted as there are so many different aspects and perspectives taken from every individual’s understanding of what they perceive to be the human condition.
Leunig’s cartoon “What is this life?” shows a great understanding of the human condition by displaying the various stages and incidents in life. Leunig effectively masters techniques to provide an insightful yet jovial cartoon. The title “What is this life?” itself is a rhetorical question. It asks the global puzzler that many, if not everyone seeks to answer. By asking the reader this mystifying question, Leunig grabs the reader’s attention, engaging them into what he perceives to be the answer.
Leunig’s whole cartoon is essentially a metaphor comparing a complete life to a complete holiday. “Life is a holiday on Earth”, is a brilliant perspective that matches exceptionally well to the cartoon. The cartoon explores the numerous stages in life starting from birth. Examples such as “your host and guide”, being the mother, and “the accommodation is a bit unusual”, metaphoric for the human body, connect the reader with their own lives involving them into the cartoon with a touch of remembrance. Leunig uses these metaphors effectively throughout his cartoon showing the various aspects of life to prove that the human condition is multifaceted.
The cartoon ends with the closing stages of life, death. Leunig reminds the readers that although life is “enjoyable and well worth the experience” there must always be an ending and a sense of mortality. Throughout the many phases in life, overcoming obstacles, we as...