Wag The Dog - Questions

1) Explain the metaphor 'wag the dog'. What does the title of the film suggest?

Wag the dog means that the dog is smarter than its tail. The dog controls the movement of its tail rather than he tail controlling the dog. The title of the film suggests that the media (being the tail) controls the American society (the dog). This is ironic because it should be the other way around. 

2) Who is Mr. Fix-it? What does he do?

Mr. Fix-it is Conrad Breen who produces the war to distract the American public. 

3) What is the significance of the producer's house being bigger than the White House? What message does that relay?

The significance of the producer's house being bigger than the White House is that the producer has more wealth than the President of the U.S. This message relays that producing entertainment gains more recognition than the person who runs our country. 

4) Explain the significance of ' We remember the slogans, but we don't remember the war,' in terms of media's effectiveness.

This quote means that slogans remain in our memory, even if we don't remember the actual timeline of events. Media takes over significant events with 24 hour news coverage, and we usually remember the reporters remarks more so than the actual information that they deliver.

5) Explain the significance of “Of course there’s a war; I’m seeing it on TV!” in terms of media’s effectiveness. 

The significance is that the majority of people believe what they see on the TV. If they see it, they believe it. In theory, the media could make up a whole story and many people would believe it without questioning it. 

6) Who seems more powerful, the producer, or the President? Why?

The producer seems more powerful because we see the producer more than the President, the producer provides all of the input regarding the war, and the producer also puts the President on hold. 

7) The merchandising of products such as the “303 Burger” which Schuman “ate” behind enemy lines is often reflected in our society today. Provide another example of this type of merchandising. 

Another example of this type of merchandising is Gatorade being consumed  by players at football games which are televised. Another example would be when Apple iPhones or other products are used in movies.