How to Decode a Political Cartoon Definitions political

How to Decode a Political Cartoon

Definitions • "political": that which is concerned with public affairs or government • "cartoon": a sketch or drawing that interests or amuses by portraying persons, things, political events or situations etc. in an exaggerated way

Definitions • SATIRE - uses humor to lower something or someone in the reader’s or viewer’s estimation. It is not mean-spirited and its point is not to harm. It exposes human folly to make room for improvement.

What are Political Cartoons? • Political cartoons usually appear on the editorial page of your daily newspaper. • They generally deal with events or issues currently in the news and are, in essence, visual editorials. • Like the writer of an editorial, the cartoonist is trying to make a point. • They are a primary source of information.

What are Political Cartoons? • When you look at a political cartoon produced many years ago you are seeing it out of its original context. • In order to "get it" you will likely need some background information from classroom discussion, a textbook or your own research. • Once you have a general idea of the topic at hand you can start to decode the message the cartoonist is trying to convey.

Tools Used By Cartoonist • • Exaggeration Allusion Analogy Symbolism Caricature Stereotype Humor Personification

– "Ce bon Mr. Lincoln", was published in Montréal in 1865, during the American Civil War of 1861 -1865.

• Caricature is the primary technique of the political cartoonist, who often exaggerates an individual's unique characteristics to make them easily recognizable. • There is no mistaking the tall, thin, bearded figure of American president Abraham Lincoln • Viewers at the time would have no trouble identifying the smaller, toque-wearing figure in the upper right hand corner of cartoon A as the stereotypical French Canadian Jean-Baptiste.

• Another very important technique is the use of analogy, in which one event is represented by another. • Lincoln (sitting on the American White House) and Jean-Baptiste (sitting on the Canadian Parliament Buildings) appear to be engaged in the childhood game "king of the castle" while Canadian soldiers stand guard on a wall separating the two countries.

CARICATURE • Exaggerates one or • Made Obama’s ears more features of a large person or thing. It attempts to say something about the person/thing’s character, beliefs, actions or significance. • Makes them easily recognizable.

CARICATURE • Facial expression and • Jimi Hendrix body language can be used as signs to communicate ideas. • In some cases a cartoonist may use shading to indicate the "good guys" (light) and the "bad guys" (dark).

SYMBOL • Represents something else. It is a often a material object that represents something abstract or invisible (for example, the Statue of Liberty to represent freedom;

METAPHOR • Uses an object to note a similarity to something else.

John Bull (England) as an octopus of imperialism

IRONY • Expresses an idea through a contradiction between something’s literal meaning and the intended meaning. For example, picturing a U. S. president with a crown on his head. • SARCASM- is a form of irony. The element that turns irony into sarcasm is the appearance of mockery, or bitterness.

STEREOTYPES • Works by taking a real or imagined trait of an individual to be true of the group to which the individual belongs. They express bias and can be unfair and harmful.

Analogy & Allusions • Another very important technique is the use of analogy, in which one event is represented by another. • An allusion is understandable only to those with prior knowledge of the reference in question (which the writer assumes to be so). • A one-sentence or one-phrase (or image) reference to another event, character, etc. in the Bible, mythology, or current event

Three kings follow star to Barack Obama, savior of the Democrats.

Darth Harper

Captions • Cartoonists sometimes use words (titles, captions, name tags, balloon comments or dialogue) to help the viewer.

Biases • When you look at a political cartoon you should consider the biases of the cartoonist. The cartoonist, after all, is trying to make a point. When and where was the cartoon published, and in what type of publication? Who is portrayed in a favourable manner and who is not? • Cartoons can display a number of other biases as well (such as political, religious, racial or ethnic, vocational, economic or gender biases).

Decode the message by using the following method: • Scrutinize the characters. Can you name them by drawing on your knowledge of local and world events? • Examine the characters' attire and other visual clues. For example: facial expressions: does the character's face convey anger, fear, intrigue etc. ? complexion: describe the character's facial appearance (clean-cut and shaven, scruffy etc. ) body expression and appearance: describe the character's physical appearance (slouched, arms waving frantically, small stature, broad and bold body etc. ) attire: what is the character wearing? (suit and tie, underwear, hats etc. ) exaggeration of facial or physical characteristics: compared to a photograph (e. g. , chins, mouths, bulging eyes, long noses etc. ) • Identify objects you see in the cartoon (buildings, fences, something the character is holding). Notice words on the objects and background features (sky, walls, water). • Discuss the main ideas expressed in the cartoon's text. Is there a common theme?

Once you have looked critically at a cartoon you can try to interpret it. In summary, when you look at a political cartoon you should take the following steps: • seek out the necessary background knowledge • determine the issue being considered • study the devices the cartoonist has used • identify any possible biases and try to interpret the cartoon. • In short, what is the cartoon about, what techniques does the cartoonist use, and what does it all mean? • Once you have looked critically at a cartoon you can try to interpret it.

The Rebellions of 1837 Political Cartoons Instructions: Create a political cartoon on the Rebellions of 1837 You must invent an appropriate slogan and have captions. You must use at least TWO devices in your cartoon: Exaggeration, Allusion, Analogy, Symbolism, Metaphor, Caricature, Stereotype, Humor (satire), Personification Your cartoon must include at least ONE Historical Figure (or reference to) from the Rebellions of 1837. You need to illustrate your cartoon with fully coloured, hand-drawn pictures. On the back, explain the background of your cartoon, and all devices that you used to create the cartoon. Checklist for Creating Cartoons : – Decide what aspect of the Rebellions of 1837 that you wish to convey your message with. Give reasons for your decision. – Identify your topic: Event, person etc. . – Express your point of view and the message you want to convey – Determine what symbols are appropriate and historically accurate – Choose the words to convey your message.