What Are Political Cartoons
• Vivid primary sources that offer insight into the public mood and attitudes toward a key event or trend of the times.
• Uses:– Entertainment– Insight into current/historical events– Attitude of author/some in the public– Provoke thought– Primary sources
Symbols• Stands for some other thing, event, person, idea, news
event, group, etc.• Ex.: Uncle Sam for U.S., Elephant for Republicans, $ for
economy
Visual Distortion• Change or exaggeration in size, shape, emotions or gestures• Gives extra meaning to the symbols in the cartoon.
Irony in Words/Images• Form of humor• Often mocks its own meaning• Seems to mean one thing, but it will be taken to mean the opposite
Stereotypes• Simplifies the complex• Oversimplifies a view of a group• Can be insulting• Can be used to make a point
Caricatures• Exaggerated or distorted drawing of the individual highlighting
what the artist sees as most unique about that individual
Double Meanings• Will use a common saying and apply it to the cartoon to drive home the point.• Can be just the image or can be a phrase
Double Meanings• Will use a common saying and apply it to the cartoon to drive home the point.• Can be just the image or can be a phrase
Double Meanings• Will use a common saying and apply it to the cartoon to drive home the point.• Can be just the image or can be a phrase
Political Cartoons….
• Are not comics– Political cartoon: point of view– Comic: Purely entertainment
• Are not “right”– There are other points of view– Must consider multiple view points