Post on 29-Dec-2015
Political CartoonsPolitical 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
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
ElementsElements
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
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
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
ElementsElements
Visual Distortion
Creating objects or gestures in shapes or motions that are not “normal” to suggest some sort of emotion or meaning
Visual Distortion
Creating objects or gestures in shapes or motions that are not “normal” to suggest some sort of emotion or meaning
ElementsElements
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.
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.
ElementsElements
Stereotypes & Caricatures
Either simplifying (stereotype) or exaggerating (caricature) features or characteristics
Often insulting
Reveal broad cultural attitudes
Stereotypes & Caricatures
Either simplifying (stereotype) or exaggerating (caricature) features or characteristics
Often insulting
Reveal broad cultural attitudes
ElementsElements
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.
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.
ElementsElements
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.”
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.”