The illiterate is the same blind man, everywhere he is in for misfortune and misfortune. (A.Radakov) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

The image is a Soviet propaganda poster from 1920 by A. Radakov, titled The illiterate is the same blind man, everywhere he is in for misfortune and misfortune.

What I see:

The poster depicts a man, dressed in traditional Russian clothing including a red tunic and vibrantly striped trousers, walking with his arms outstretched as if feeling his way forward. He is wearing a blindfold covering his eyes, and his expression suggests apprehension or perhaps determination in his blindness. The man is precariously positioned on the edge of a rocky cliff, with several small rocks already dislodged and falling into the abyss below. The background is a stark blue sky with stylized white clouds, suggesting an open but potentially vast and dangerous expanse. A decorative border frames the scene with a repeating pattern of triangles in red, black, and white.

Below the central image, bold Russian text reads: НЕГРАМОТНЫЙ ТОТ-ЖЕ СЛЕПОЙ ВСЮДУ ЕГО ЖДУТ НЕУДАЧИ И НЕСЧАСТЬЯ. (The illiterate is the same blind man, everywhere he is in for misfortune and misfortune.) This text is a direct quote attributed to a certain A. Radakov, though the artists signature also appears on the work. Below this, further text and a small logo suggest the poster was published in relation to BOOKS (КНИГИ) and likely distributed by a publishing or educational organization of the time.

Subtexts:

The primary subtext of this poster is a powerful and direct condemnation of illiteracy in early Soviet Russia.

• Illiteracy as Blindness: The visual metaphor of blindness is central. The mans obscured eyes and outstretched hands directly equate a lack of literacy with an inability to see or navigate the world effectively. This suggests that illiterate individuals are lost, vulnerable, and unable to perceive dangers or opportunities.
• Danger and Misfortune: The cliff edge and falling rocks are stark symbols of the perils faced by the illiterate. They are depicted as being on the brink of disaster, with their lack of knowledge leading them towards ruin. This reinforces the idea that illiteracy prevents one from understanding and overcoming lifes challenges.
• Call to Action (Implicit): While the poster focuses on the negative consequences of illiteracy, it implicitly serves as a call to action. By highlighting the dire situation of the illiterate, it aims to motivate the population to embrace education and learning. The inclusion of BOOKS in the lower section further emphasizes this intended solution.
• Enlightenment and Progress: In the context of the early Soviet Union, literacy was often promoted as a cornerstone of progress, modernity, and individual empowerment. This poster aligns with that ideology, suggesting that education (and by extension, literacy) is the path out of darkness and towards a better future.
• Social Commentary: The simplified, bold style is typical of propaganda art designed to be easily understood and impactful. The traditional attire of the man might also suggest that this is a common issue affecting a broad segment of the population, particularly in rural or less urbanized areas.

In essence, the poster uses a direct and alarming visual metaphor to advocate for the vital importance of education and literacy for the well-being and progress of individuals and the nation as a whole during a period of significant social transformation.