Death by industry

The Great Depression struck just three years before Tintin in America; Herge's depiction of the United States stereotypes American greed even though Herge never traveled to or studied more than American pop culture. On pages 30-31 oil unexpectedly erupts from the ground. Within moments businessmen rush to the remote American Indian land to start bidding with Tintin. The multiple speech bubbles containing ellipses and exclamation marks helps show commotion within a single panel. Herge uses a similar technique on page 46 as reporting companies begin bidding absurd amounts of money for Tintin's services. Ultimately, Tintin justly admits that the land is not his to sell; the Indians own it. Within moments after the Indians' refusal to sell at a low price the American military drives them away and builds a bustling city all within a day! Herge uses yellow narrative boxes to put emphasis on the comical and impossible passage of time reflecting the absurdity of American greed. Additionally, American industry threatens Tintin with his life twice in Tintin in America. On page 43 Bobby Smiles ties down Tintin to the railroad tracks. As the train races towards his body it suddenly stops and Tintin is saved. The event on pages 55-56 is even more telling. Tintin is pushed in the meat grinder but comes out in one piece. How? A strike occurred and the machine was shut down! In both cases Tintin was going to meet death by the foundations of the American economy; rail and manufacturing. Herge may have used these situations to comment on America's out-of-control economy now suffering through the Great Depression.