Words Images Power

i-want-you-flat.jpg

This image, of uncle sam, has power because of the combination of words and the image. Separately, "I want you" is such a broad phrase that is doesn't have any strong obvious implications when you read it and don't know its context. Granted, the typeface does send a message of being a stern strong statement because it is in all caps and the word "you" is enlarged and colored opposite the other two. This striking contrast focuses the eye on the word "you" while the mind puts emphasis on the meaning.
 The picture on the other hand, is an obvious reference to the United States of America, with the red white and blue colors represented in the national flag, as well as the old school top hat and the clothes worn by the early Americans. By covering up the words, it look as if a man representing "America" might be scolding the viewer since his brows are slightly furrowed and his mouth is slightly turned down in a frown.
But we all know that Uncle Sam was recruiting us for WWI, and the message sticks with us today because it was such an intense combination of words and image that we can even associate it now to this meaning with just one of the two components, i.e. just the words of just the image. We have had significant exposure to assume this specific image always goes with these three words. Someone who was not familiar with the add and saw the picture by its self would lose the meaning of the combination, and that is how we know the importance of them working together.
Oh the power of words and images.