Analysis of an advertisement

Amnesty International’s confined dove advertisement, part of their human rights campaign, is profoundly impactful. It motivates the viewer to take action against cruelty existing in the world today. Using a picture of a restrained dove incarcerated in a tiny cell, the advertisement presents a very compelling image, particularly so because of its simplicity. The photograph arouses outrage in the observer, without a single printed word, and calls for swift action on his/her part.

The image that comprises the ad is black on the right and left edges, covering just under a quarter of the page on each side. It fades quickly to a small, stark, nondescript cell. Contained within the cell is a single white dove. The dove is healthy, has full, clean feathers, and does not appear to be in any discomfort. It is resting on the floor. An unnecessarily thick chain, attached to a large iron ball, trails out from underneath its small body. The coop is illuminated via a small window, locat...