Transcript Political Cartoons

Political Cartoons
Political Cartoons
Primary Sources
Illustrations
Contain commentary that relates to current events or people
Usually appear in newspaper or magazines
Usually use sarcasm, irony, humor in order to question
authority or draw attention to corruption or other social
problems
Elements
Visual symbols and
metaphors
Easily recognizable symbols
that the average reader will
understand
Republicans: elephant;
Democrats: donkey
USA: Uncle Sam, American
flag, Statue of Liberty; Britain:
John Bull
Death: skull, cross bones, grim
reaper, vulture
Peace: dove, olive branch,
victory sign, banners
Money: dollar or cent sign,
money bags, bank, dollar bills
Government: Constitution, Bill
of Rights, White House, Capitol
Building
Symbols
Colombia and Uncle Sam
Symbols
John Bull (UK)
Symbols
Democrats and Republicans
Elements
Visual Distortion
Creating objects or
gestures in shapes or
motions that are not
“normal” to suggest
some sort of emotion or
meaning
Elements
Irony in words or
images
A form of humor where
what you say is not what
you really mean.
Often used to mock a
situation.
Elements
Stereotypes & Caricatures
Either simplifying
(stereotype) or exaggerating
(caricature) features or
characteristics
Often insulting
Reveal broad cultural
attitudes
Elements
An argument (not slogan)
The cartoon is attempting to
“make a case” or “prove a
point”
It wants to sway your
opinion in some way and
presents reasons for why
you should do so.
Elements
Uses and misuses of political cartoons
Goal is to provoke thought in the reader by being funny, humorous,
stimulating, or even insulting.
What they DO show is cultural assumptions by some, prevailing moods, and
insights to trends and events.
BUT, they should by no means be thought of as how “everyone” thought.
They are one man’s biased interpretation.
They should NOT be assumed to be thought of as “the way things were.”
What system is this?
1
2
What Policy is portrayed?
3
Equal Suffrage
The West
Equal Suffrage
4
“Who stole the people’s money?”Do tell. N.Y. Times.
5
‘Twas Him