London through Rose-Colored Graphics: Visual Rhetoric and Information Graphic Design in Charles Booth's Maps of London Poverty

Abstract

In this article, I examine a historical information graphic—Charles Booth's maps of London poverty (1889–1902)—to analyze the cultural basis of ideas of transparency and clarity in information graphics. I argue that Booth's maps derive their rhetorical power from contemporary visual culture as much as from their scientific authority. The visual rhetoric of the maps depended upon an ironic inversion of visual culture to make poverty seem a problem that could be addressed, rather than an insurmountable crisis. This visual rhetoric led directly to significant features of and concepts in western societies, including the poverty line and universal old-age pensions (social security).

Visual Rhetoric: A Case for Visual Literacy in the Classroom

“…Others support this function of visual rhetoric as social change, such as Barton and Barton (2004), Brasseur (2005), and Kimball (2006). We will study this idea in detail a little further on in this paper.…”

“…Rather than being stoic, neutral, or subordinate to text (Salinas 2002;Rosner 2001), visuals often further an argument and convince viewers to move from passivity into action (Brasseur 2005). A very clear visual that creates meaning, though sometimes implicit, is the map (Brasseur 2005;Propen 2007;Kimball 2006). The selective process the author undergoes in deciding what to display and what to leave out on each map is heavily guided by the ultimate purpose of the document.…”

“…She observes that maps reflect reality, but they also create it. However, Kimball (2006) counters that the visual can at times be deceptive since they offer a more transparent view of reality rather than a complex view. This idea stems from Kimball's personal study of human response to infographics where he observed that people responded positively to infographics that made social problems seem small and solvable rather than complex and difficult.…”

“…She viewed them pieces of information that, if presented in the right way, would lead to a very beneficial social change. Similarly, Kimball (2006) discusses how Charles Booth envisioned and then instigated social change with his colored maps showing the poverty of London. Propen (2007) shows how a map produced by the NRDC promoted an environmental campaign to protect a population of marine mammals.…”

“…She further points out that, because contexts are dynamic and therefore always changing, how we approach context should be continually adapting as well. Kimball (2006) links Charles Booth's maps of London poverty to the visual culture already surrounding the issue. Because Booth used a simple map for the issue, it boiled down the seemingly horrific issue of poverty into a manageable, solvable task.…”