Political cartoon.This cartoonist uses hyperbole to comment on the recent steroid-abuse scandal, (See "Staring Down Steroids," pp, 10-11.) Hyperbole is an obvious exaggeration that can be used for comic effect, Study the cartoon, then answer the questions below. 1. What is odd about the physiques of the two chess players This is a list of chess players. Chess players The people in this list are men and women who are primarily known as chess players, and their biographies are presented in the Wikipedia. ? -- 2. Whom do the chess players represent? -- 3. What side effects Side effects Effects of a proposed project on other parts of the firm. associated with steroid abuse are represented in the cartoon? -- 4. What effect can steroid abuse have on competition and sports? -- 5. What is the cartoonist's view of steroid use in sports? Do you agree? -- 1. The two players appear gargantuan gar·gan·tu·an adj. Of immense size, volume, or capacity; gigantic. See Synonyms at enormous. gargantuan Adjective huge or enormous [after Gargantua, a giant in Rabelais' , with oversize o·ver·size n. 1. A size that is larger than usual. 2. An oversize article or object. adj. o·ver·size also o·ver·sized Larger in size than usual or necessary. Adj. 1. muscles that are almost grotesque--especially for the mental challenges of chess. 2. The chess players represent those athletes who abuse steroids in order to help improve their level of play and their physical conditioning. 3. Steroid abuse can cause a person to become overly aggressive and violent. The chess players, in addition to appearing freakishly freak·ish adj. 1. Markedly unusual or abnormal; strange: freakish weather; a freakish combination of styles. 2. Relating to or being a freak: a freakish extra toe. large, are scowling scowl v. scowled, scowl·ing, scowls v.intr. To wrinkle or contract the brow as an expression of anger or disapproval. See Synonyms at frown. v.tr. at each other. One player violently slams a chess piece onto the board, exerting way too much energy as he announces, "CHECK!" 4. Answers will vary. Students may say that steroids destroy the notion of fair play in sports and competition. Players are using an unnatural advantage in order to win. 5. Answers will vary. Students may say that the cartoonist thinks steroids are physically dangerous, as represented by the gargantuan and violent chess players. They may also infer a belief that steroid abuse is representative of the win-at-all-costs attitude that is prevalent in sports, competition, and American culture. |
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