Jonah c. 1944 - 1945

Clifford Kennedy Berryman’s drawing, aptly titled "Jonah?", encapsulates a potent political narrative through symbolic imagery. Here, a ship labeled "New Deal," steered by a figure resembling President Roosevelt, is threatened by a whale marked "Southern Democrats." The most striking symbol is, of course, the whale. The whale in Berryman's depiction is not merely an animal; it is the embodiment of resistance and obstruction. It echoes the Biblical story of Jonah, swallowed by the whale as a consequence of disobedience. This image has traversed time, re-emerging in diverse contexts, such as Moby Dick, where it signifies an all-consuming, destructive force. Here, we see this image in the context of early 20th-century American politics. This evokes a sense of foreboding, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The encounter becomes a symbolic representation of the constant battle between progress and resistance. The tale of Jonah, whether religious or allegorical, speaks to our collective memory of divine retribution, and the cyclical nature of history. This symbol resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings, reflecting the ever-shifting tides of human affairs.