This cartoon by Schrank from The Independent combines two Great British traditions: the Boxing Day sales and the Boxing Day hunts.
BACKGROUND
Although, it has been illegal to use dogs to hunt animals in England and Wales since 2005, the RSPCA's prosecution of members of the Heythrop Hunt earlier this month has led to claims illegal hunting is still going on. Many traditional Conservative MPs oppose the ban and insist that David Cameron must honour his pledge to allow MPs a free vote on lifting the ban on hunting with hounds. However, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson indicated yesterday there were no immediate plans to bring the issue back to Parliament.
THE CARTOON
A group of women shoppers are shown tearing a dress apart in a frenzied hunt for bargains - an image meant to evoke a pack of dogs killing a fox. The colour red is used to symbolize blood, and the women's fingers resemble claws. A shop assistant remarks: "It's time we banned the cruel practice of Boxing Day bargain hunts." This photo shows the reality of the Christmas sales.
VOCABULARY
The cartoonist plays on two meanings of the word hunt. A hunt is when people on horses chase and try to kill foxes with dogs as a sport. A hunt is also when you try to find something by searching carefully. Bargain hunters are shoppers who are looking for bargains (things you buy that cost less than thay normally do).
GRAMMAR
Note the use of the past tense in the expression 'It's time we did something'. • It's time we talked about gun control.
NOTE
Schrank thanks someone called Ling at the bottom of the cartoon. I couldn't find any reference to this person. Can anyone help?
