This statement is vital in understanding what a source has to say about the subject at hand. Upon analysing a text and deconstructing it by use of literary techniques, a deep insight into the subtext and meaning can be found. A few particularly good examples of texts, rich in literary techniques and full of subtexts that create their own truth include: Anti Nazi war posters (Source A), Rob Marshall's "Chicago" and Geoffrey Robertson's "The Justice Game".
Propaganda is defined as "The organised dissemination of information". Following this definition, The Anti Nazi poster can be seen to be constructing its own truth. It was Goebbels that said, "Propaganda becomes ineffective the moment we are aware of it". There are a few predominant features of the picture, which stand out to the desensitised viewer. The first aspect that the common catholic will notice is an extremely blasphemous image, that of the "Holy Bible" being desecrated. Looking closer at the picture one may notice is that the man does not have a face; this is so as to allow for no opportunity for the Nazi to defend his actions. The desecration of the bible is tied in with a very simple comment that reads "BIBLES DON"T BLEED BUT PEOPLE DO". The picture and text combine to produce a powerful message to the unsensitised catholic reader, "He's out to destroy you, not even your faith will save you". This message is a very scary statement for the unsensitised, the uninformed and the religious viewers. Pondering the message of the poster, such a person might question their actions and ask, "What might I do to stop this". The answer to that soul searching question would be found ten meters down the street when the unsensitised reader comes across another poster suggesting joining the army or donating money.
This Anti Nazi poster is constructing its own truth through the use of symbolism and emotive icons, to make the viewer aware of a problem and (by playing with emotions) make them feel obligated to act in response.
