lrsZobelWhyCatsMake3 Leslie Anne Ivory

The drawing presents a scene steeped in satirical commentary on human-animal relationships and social dynamics. Here we observe a woman with short blonde hair, rendered in a simplified, cartoonish style, engaged in conversation with what appears to be a large, orange tabby cat. The woman’s expression is earnest, her posture suggesting an attempt at sincerity. She speaks of someone named Charles who will be joining them and has apparently agreed to worship the ground you walk on. This statement immediately establishes a tone of absurdity, hinting at exaggerated deference or perhaps even servitude.
The cat, positioned prominently in the foreground, responds with a thought bubble containing the question: “I assume we have this in writing?” The phrasing is dryly sarcastic and undermines the woman’s initial pronouncements. The cats posture – a relaxed sprawl with paws tangled in what appears to be yarn – further reinforces its nonchalant attitude toward the situation. It embodies an air of entitlement, suggesting a creature accustomed to getting its way.
Below this exchange, a concluding statement is presented: Cats don’t mind if you play favorites...as long as theyre the favorite. This serves as a summarizing observation, encapsulating the underlying theme of conditional acceptance and self-centeredness. The drawing utilizes humor to critique human tendencies toward performative displays of politeness or obligation, contrasting them with the perceived pragmatism and inherent egoism of cats.
The visual style – characterized by bold outlines, flat colors, and exaggerated features – contributes to the overall comedic effect. It avoids realism in favor of a heightened, almost caricature-like representation that amplifies the satirical intent. The drawing’s subtext explores power dynamics, social expectations, and the often-amusing disparity between human ideals and animal behavior.