Pepe: A Multi-Modal Meme
PEPE'S VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
Since his conception, Pepe the Frog has taken on many forms such as: "Sad Frog," "Smug Frog," "Angry Pepe," Nu Pepe," Well Meme'd," and "Rare Pepe" (Know Your Meme). His various avatars have been distributed through websites like 4chan, reddit, twitter, and tumblr, mostly in a"non-bigoted way" (Hate on Display). The "Pepe" meme itself as been used in a variety of ways, both as an independent meme (meaning just the image and the meaning that the viewer might draw from the image based on context) and as a what one might term a "dependent" meme, meaning that the image of Pepe is used in reaction to the text that it is responding to and needs the textual component to be understandable. See figures 7 and 8 on the bottom right for examples of a dependent Pepe where the same version of the image creates two different tones when paired with the text.
SAD FROG
Sad Frog Pepe, as shown in the first image, is the polar opposite of the original Pepe and is a meme that is used to express "feelings of failure or disappointment" (Know Your Meme).
SMUG FROG
Smug Frog Pepe is a "reaction image" involving a "smug-looking version of Pepe" (Know Your Meme). Smug Frog is shown in Image 2.
ANGRY PEPE
Angry Pepe depicts a rage-filled Pepe, and is a meme that is used to "express rage and intense frustration" (Know Your Meme). Angry Pepe is shown in Image 3.
NU PEPE
Nu Pepe involves Pepe "[crossing his] arms and wearing a blue long sleeved shirt" (Know Your Meme). There are alternate versions to the one shows in Figure 4, such as those depicting Pepe as Javert from Les Miserables and Bane from the DC Universe (Know Your Meme).
WELL MEME'D
Well Meme'd Pepe is an "ironic" spinoff of the "Hahaha, great post!" meme, featuring Pepe in a "sweater and tie" (Know Your Meme). Well Meme'd Pepe is depicted in Image 5.
RARE PEPE
Rare Pepes are memes that depict Pepe in unique situations, such as Nicki Minaj tweeting a twerking Pepe to represent herself and her music (Know Your Meme).
Figure 7: Regretful Pepe (Know Your Meme)
Figure 8: Embarrassed Pepe (Know Your Meme)
