Explain this to me? Part 2
I've written before about cartoons that fascinate me despite - because of - the fact that I don't "get" them, and here's another example I've come across. This time it's a gag by the great New Yorker cartoonist Peter Arno. I've owned several books of his work over the years; this one, found for a dollar at Vallue Village, is called Man In The Shower and it's from 1944. I've always loved his drawing - the bold, angular linework looks as if it were laid down with a sweep of his whole arm, suggesting that his originals were quite large (were they? I have no idea).
Few cartoonists drew pompous tuxedo-wearing socialites as well as Arno (that's him to the left - god, what a suave bastard!)
Anyway, here's the cartoon I don't understand. I'm assuming it's set in the south, given the plantation-like setting and the black servants... but what's funny about it? What's with the look on the returning soldier's face? I can't figure if the joke is about race, the military or something else. Anyone?
Finally, here are two more cartoons from the book. The first one I don't find all that funny, but the drawing is excellent and the girl in the welder's helmet is just incredibly sexy. Sorry, probably too much personal information there. The second gag I do think is quite funny, and I'll take advantage of any excuse to spotlight a cartoon gorilla.