"Well, it's a humor strip, so my first responsibility has always been to entertain the reader... But if, in addition, I can help move readers to thought and judgment about issues that concern me, so much the better"

Garry Trudeau, the creator of the cartoon "Doonesbury", succinctly encapsulates his imaginative ethos and double goals with this quote. At its core, the statement underscores a main dedication to home entertainment, emblematic of the basic purpose of humor strips and comic art. Making use of the expression "very first duty" represents a responsibility to captivate and entertain readers, aligning with the standard expectation that comics primarily function as a light-hearted escape into humor and satire. This reflects an acknowledgment of the cartoon's historical role as a medium for levity in every day life, offering a short-term reprieve through wit and humor.

However, Trudeau's assertion does not end with home entertainment. He transitions into a secondary function: provoking thought and reflection on societal issues. The phrase "relocation readers to idea and judgment about issues that worry me" shows an aspiration that extends beyond mere amusement. It speaks with the power of comics as a tool for social commentary and cultural review, utilizing humor as an automobile to delve into much deeper, typically tough, topics. Trudeau acknowledges that while home entertainment is his main objective, there is a hidden and potent capacity for comics to influence understandings and foster important thinking.

The mention of concerns that "concern me" indicates a personal investment in the topics he selects to resolve through his work. This individual touch shows that his art isn't just about observing social phenomena but likewise about taking part in continuous dialogues about real-world intricacies. "So much the much better" is a humble acknowledgment of the extra worth derived when art transcends its primary function of home entertainment to likewise engage intellectually with its audience.

In essence, Trudeau welcomes the multifaceted nature of his work, balancing humor with objective and enhancing the ability of creative expression to both captivate and inform all at once.