The Rhetoric of the Image - Essay Example

Litter comprises any waste products such as papers, containers, feces, or wrappers that have been disposed of without consent or care. The term litter can also be used as a verb to describe the action of deliberately throwing objects on the ground and not removing them. Littering is very different from disposing of them properly in the designated areas. Littering is a serious environmental issue in very many states because it has negative impacts (Hill, p. 97). The sound bite, in this case, is “Singapore: Litter free.”
Here, we see a litter bin along one of the streets in Singapore next to the wall. The architectural design of the floor of the street and the wall shows that it is a major and developed street that should not have such an ugly site. Ironically, the litter bin is empty but trash is spread all over the floor around the litter bin instead of being inside the trash can (Handa, p. 8).

The first message that the image communicates is the irony of the words written on the litter bin. The words ‘Singapore: Litter Free’ are meant to show that the country is not a place where people litter trash anywhere. The bin is supposed to be used to contain all the trash that is on the floor. The words do not simply give the impression of cleanliness. They tend to show us that Singapore is a country that is clean and people do not litter carelessly. The words are not merely meant to show that Singapore is litter free. They are also meant to guide the actions of the people and discourage them from littering. The substance of the message is passed on using language since it is written down in English and is meant to communicate a powerful message that will discourage people from littering. The English language is the code from which this message has been taken. The only knowledge that a person would require to decipher this message is knowledge of writing and knowledge of English (Barthes, p. 33).
In the picture, the linguistic message is the message that is written down. This is ‘Singapore- Litter free’. When we put aside this linguistic message, what is left is the pure image without words. This is the image of the litter bin and the garbage that is littered around it. The idea that one may have from looking at the scenes is one whereby people have disregarded the requirement against littering. Whoever is responsible for throwing the trash around the litter can disregard the message and go straight ahead to litter even though the message is so clear and well brought out. The calls against littering are defied because people go ahead to litter even though they have been warned against it. This is another sign that shows irresponsibility and lack of accountability (Rose, p. 129). Read More