Both authors spark discussion about the beauty of their town and the effects of implementing a large tourist attraction. Wiley addresses the attraction as ‘grand’ and ‘soring high’, alluding to the idea that this will become something the town will be known for, compelling community members to feel proud for the town and its assets. Conversly, Warwick believes that this ‘giant’ attraction will be ‘ugly’ and a ‘monstrosity’, urging the council to realise that they may not want a huge ‘ugly’ attraction taking away from the ‘beauty’ of their town.
In a similar manner, the cartoon by the newspaper’s cartoonist justifies the establishment of a giant monument. Jovial in mood, the cartoon provides an insight into the construction of a monument. The clear skies and scene represent the optimistic future of the town in the presence of the giant monument. The contrast of the empty highway versus the bustling town is symbolic of the town’s exposure and its ability to combat adversity. The giant watermelon as a symbol of the town’s fresh produce positioned beside the watermelon stand illustrates the projects ability to generate revenue. In so doing, the cartoonist presents that Mayor’s as viable and suitable in assisting its economic state and exposure to a more global society.
The cartoon depicts a scenario in which the town has embraced the idea of constructing a large attraction, and its quality of produce to attract tourists to the town. The ridiculous figure of a giant watermelon, taller than trees and St Martin’s Church, highlights the future of the town following the Mayor’s approach to construct large attractions... Furthermore, the cartoon highlights how tourists have become attracted to the giant watermelon and have lost focus on other treasures of the town, suggesting how the construction has resulted in tourists becoming less appreciative of the town’s unique qualities. Thus the cartoon vilifies Wiley’s approach that giant attractions will bring prosperity to the town, and prompts readers to reflect where their values lie.
When the cartoon is viewed in tow with Warwick’s letter, the audience discovers the cartoonist may perhaps be ridiculing Wiley’s contention, arguing that Lawton will forever be immortalised as the ‘home of the giant watermelon’ – one that sticks out like a sore thumb within the town centre – and not as the town of fresh produce and arts and craft that it wishes to purport itself to be. In highlighting the potential flaws behind such a construction, the cartoonist, similar to Warwick, intends to illustrate the salient flaws with undergoing such a construction, leaving the audience to carefully reconsider the actual inspirational nature of building such an attraction.
