Eat / T. Ungerer

Strategy By
Morgan King
Link/Citation

Ungerer, Tomi. Eat. Between 1965 and 1980. Poster print. Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016648522/(link is external).

Source Type:
Photographs and Prints Political Cartoons
Suggested Grade Level and Audience: Grade 12
Instructional value of primary source for the curriculum and/or classroom

Historical fiction as a genre is essential to teaching history and also perspective, cultural awareness, and empathy. Popular classroom texts such as The Things They Carried (link is external)by Tim O’Brien and The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen provide narrative retellings of the Vietnam War, which is relevant to American history but often only vaguely referenced in American history classrooms. The political poster done here by Tomi Ungerer provides further insight into the Vietnamese American perspective on the war and its impact. As a supplement to study of works of historical fiction, the Ungerer print reflects the cultural, social, and political lifestyle shifts for Vietnamese refugees in America. As has been discussed in great length, particularly in Nguyen’s The Sympathizer, such visual statements speak to the larger thematic and symbolic aspects of Vietnam War historical fiction. This lesson plan aims to engage students in a multidisciplinary exploration of Asian assimilation in America, using both literature and visual art to deepen their understanding and empathy.

Summary/Description

The poster shows the head and shoulders of a yellow (Asian) man being forced to eat the Statue of Liberty, held in the tight, forceful grasp of a hand dressed in a sleeve that reads “EAT” in red lettering.

Context for the Primary Source
  • The Vietnam War was a prolonged conflict that took place from 1954 to 1975, primarily between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and South Vietnam, backed by the United States and other anti-communist nations.
  • In the wake of the Vietnam War, the arrival of Vietnamese refugees in the United States sparked various social and political reactions. Protest posters became a powerful medium to address issues related to Asian assimilation and American politics. These posters often highlighted themes of anti-Asian discrimination, the challenges of assimilation, and the political dynamics surrounding refugee resettlement.
  • The influx of Vietnamese refugees also influenced American politics, leading to changes in immigration policies and increased support for refugee resettlement programs. Over time, refugees became active participants in American society, contributing to its cultural and economic landscape.
  • These protest posters and the broader movement they represent underscore the ongoing struggle for equality and the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by Asian Americans, particularly in the context of historical events such as the Vietnam War and its aftermath.
Focus Question(s)
  • As a symbol of America, what is the Statue of Liberty meant to represent? Does that representation fit with the use of the statue in this print?
  • What can we infer about the artist? What seems to be their purpose and message in creating this piece of art?
  • How is color used in the print to communicate ideas?
  • Who do you think is the intended audience for the print? How are they meant to feel when they see this print?
Standards Connections

Common Core(link is external) State Standards

11-12RI2. Determine two or more central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to provide a complex analysis; provide an objective summary of the text.

  • Students will use Ungerer’s poster to discuss themes of identity, assimilation, and cultural conflict present in historical fiction about the Vietnam War.

11-12.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10).

  • The title of this piece and the only word included in the print are complex and require students to consider various kinds of word meanings, such as figurative, connotative, and technical meanings, as used by Ungerer.
Suggested Teaching Approaches
  • To help students understand the historical context of Asian assimilation in America, particularly in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, provide an overview of the Vietnam War and its impact on Vietnamese refugees in America. Then, as a prereading strategy, explore themes of identity, assimilation, and cultural conflict in historical fiction.
  • After reading the work of historical fiction, further discuss the connection between topics of war, identity, and displacement and their connection to themes of assimilation and cultural conflict.
  • Accompany the teaching of the novel by analyzing examples of posters related to Asian assimilation and anti-Asian discrimination, specifically Eat by Tomi Ungerer. Discuss the messages and artistic techniques used in the posters.
  • Then, analyze how the experiences of characters in the novel reflect broader themes of assimilation and identity(link is external) and connect these perspectives with the representation in Ungerer’s print. Particularly, for The Sympathizer, discuss the protagonist’s dual identity and the complexities of assimilation.
  • Finally, students can create their own political posters addressing themes of Asian assimilation and identity as a response to their reading of the class novel. Teachers can provide guidance on artistic techniques and message development. An alternative to creating political posters is to create Culture Cards(link is external).
  • Extension Activities
    • Group discussion on the intersection of personal and political identities
    • Student presentations of their political posters to the class
    • Peer critique and discussion on the effectiveness of the posters' messages
    • Short essay writing on how historical fiction and protest art can illuminate the experiences of immigrants in America
Potential for Challenge
  • Teaching non-American perspectives on wars in which the US was involved often leads to divisive or painful conversations. Some families may not want their students to look critically at American involvement in the Vietnam War.

Links to resources for approaching those topics

  • Evaluating the vocabulary(link is external) surrounding the topic, events, and people is critical to support families and teachers in these conversations.
Alternative or Complementary Primary Sources
  1. Another Vietnam War(link is external) print featuring the Statue of Liberty can provide a powerful contrast to Ungerer’s piece. This resource also comments on the Indigenous population in America, which poses a powerful connection to earlier history.
Additional References
  1. Discussing modern forms of anti-Asian hate can link the discrimination from Vietnam War times to that of the COVID-19 pandemic(link is external).
  2. Students can also examine prints and posters alongside photographs of the Vietnam War(link is external).
Subject:
American Popular Culture , Journalism/News , Social Studies/Social Sciences/History/Geography
Topics:
Arts and Culture , Government, Law, and Politics , History , Photographs, Prints, and Posters
Year/Date of Creation or Publication
1980