987101Period 1

Editorial Cartoon Analysis

R.J. Matson, May 9th 2014, St-Louis Post Dispatch

This comic was inspired by the recent botched Oklahoma execution – when Clayton D. Lockett awoke during his lethal injection and thrashed around, conscious, until he died of a heart attack. In this cartoon, discarded syringes surround a table covered in leather restraints, and the sign reads "State of Oklahoma Executions: Practice makes perfect!" This is a commentary on the ineptitude of Oklahoma state executioners. That the sign says 'practice makes perfect' portrays state executioners as having a lax, and loose attitude towards their career – which is something that should never be taken lightly. It portrays Oklahoma in a negative light, and suggests that the state's ability to carry out capital punishment is questionable. It is important to note, though, that this cartoon makes no comment on capital punishment in general – just the ineptitude of Oklahoma in its ability to complete executions cleanly.

Matson uses strong lines and a balance of curves and linear strokes to create his image. The straight lines around the bed frame and door reminds you that it’s a governmental function, and gives the sense of strict authority. The curved lines on the mattress, however, make it seem more loose (the focus of the image). The syringes lie white on a grey floor, which extends throughout the cartoon (the grey color scheme). This color scheme makes the whole scene seem dismal, and emphasizes the government aspect of the cartoon.

987101Period 1

Editorial Cartoon Analysis

Mike Keefe, May 1st 2014, Cagle.com

This comic references the failed execution in Oklahoma. The bed, containing straps, is obviously set up for lethal injections. The box of equipment at the man's feet reads "Semi-Lethal Injection Kit," which is obviously a comment on the failure of Oklahoma to execute Lockett. The woman on the left, labeled as Oklahoma, is suggesting that the state looks to other nations that have perfected capital punishment as an example for their program. The man replies by listing six countries that are all in the middle of crisis. This provides a commentary on the death penalty in general, and lethal executions – basically, it says that by using lethal injections, we are lowering ourselves to the levels of countries we condemn. Additionally, it's a commentary specifically on Oklahoma, saying that the botched execution is reminiscent of torture techniques and other measures used in more dangerous countries (generally those with oppressive governments).

In his comic, Keefe makes every object squat and angular, including the people. Lines that at first seem straight are actually slightly bent, and the bottles, IV bags, and bodies of the people are all somewhat chunky and wide. Keefe uses the technique of labeling, on the woman (marked as Oklahoma) and the box of injection equipment on the ground (marked as a 'semi-lethal injection kit').

987101Period 1

Editorial Cartoon Analysis

Bruce Plante, April 30th 2014, Tulsa World

In this comic, Plante portrays the botched execution in Oklahoma as an embarrassment to everyone living there and the entire nation. In this comic, you see a gate at an airport. The destination reads Oklahoma, and everyone in the waiting area is wearing paper bags over their heads. Generally, people wear paper bags when they're embarrassed (or joke about it, anyway). This shows that the people on their way to Oklahoma are shamed about the failure of their state regarding capital punishment. Another meaning one could take away from this cartoon is that all Oklahomans are in the dark about their state's execution programs. The paper bags are inhibiting their vision, and the man reading the newspaper isn't looking at the section on the botched execution. This shows how their government is blinding them, or attempting to keep its failures and complications secret.

Plante uses a lot of color, to balance the picture. The stylistic devices here are not really as important as the symbolic paper bags over the people's heads, since they don't contribute significantly or alter the meaning of the cartoon. The only important technique Plante uses is labeling, to show that the botched execution is the subject of the comic, and that the people belong to the state of Oklahoma.

987101Period 1

Editorial Cartoon Analysis

Rob Rogers, May 2nd 2014, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

This comic by Rob Rogers comments on public perception of the botched death penalty (specifically GOP perspectives). The man in the comic (labeled as USA) is reading an article on Lockett's execution, and is wearing a shirt identifying him as pro-death penalty. He's shocked, not at the botched execution, but at the fact that the media would cover it.

This cartoon comments on pro-death penalty (mainly Republican and Tea Party) reaction to the failed execution. Instead of focusing on what went wrong or fixing the system, Rogers is suggesting that those favoring the death penalty try to shift the focus onto the media, attacking it for covering the issue and not 'protecting the American public.'

Rogers uses strong, thick lines in his cartoon, as well as a heavy use of shading. This gives the impression that the man in the cartoon is heavy, and creates the appearance of complete outrage in the dialogue box. Obviously, labeling is used multiple times with the man's character (the shirt and hat), and with the newspaper headline.

987101Period 1

Editorial Cartoon Analysis

Riber Hansson, May 7th 2014, unspecified Swedish newspaper and Cagle.com

Hansson's cartoon here is unlike any other I looked at for this project. In place of angular lines and traditional ink figures, Hansson's comics are more like a painting or charcoal sketch. The images features a figure, dressed in traditional sheriff's clothing – however, instead of guns he boasts two holstered syringes. The sheriff's badge on his chest reads "JUSTICE," and the hands (the only visible part of his body) are skeletal. The image has no color except in the background, which is solid red – other than that, its shades of grey.

In this comic, Hansson compares our 'humane' and modern form of capital punishment (the death penalty) to how laws were enforced in older times (with guns and blood, the law out for revenge). By doing so, he shows that lethal injection, which we think of as ethically better than hanging or the like, fulfills the same purpose as past, older, more bloody options. As much as we try to hide it, Hansson is telling us, our methods of carrying out justice have not changed in years.

987101Period 1

Editorial Cartoon Analysis

Bruce Beattie, 2014, Daytona Beach News-Journal

Beattie is making a comment on Supreme Court ineptitude and ignorance on lethal injection policies. In the comic, a speech bubble coming from the Supreme Court reads "…and what if they execute the wrong guy…would that be cruel or unusual?" Additionally, the pillars on the front of the Supreme Court building are giant syringes, which show that the Supreme Court has historically agreed with the principle of capital punishment. The speech bubble shows that the Supreme Court is focusing on definitions of cruel and unusual punishment rather than issues within the system (like in the Oklahoma situation). The speech bubble also suggests that the courts are looking in depth at questions that are relatively simple to answer ('yes, executing an innocent man is cruel and unusual'). Finally, the comic discusses the difficulties of quantifying 'cruel and unusual punishment.' That phrase is extremely vague, and somewhat subjective.

Beattie shows, through this cartoon, his frustration with our Supreme Court in their cases regarding lethal injection. He looks at their deliberation on issues that don't require in depth analysis, and the difficulties categorizing cruel and unusual punishment.

987101Period 1

Editorial Cartoon AnalysisSUMMARY AND REFLECTION

The botched execution in Oklahoma, in itself, is rather unimportant. The reason it's picking up media attention is because people who were already anti-death penalty are using it to boost their argument, to springboard into a movement to eliminate the death penalty. But as for Lockett's case – yes, it's gruesome; yes, it's unfortunate; but does it change the fact that he essentially died in government hands (which he was sentenced to)? No. The big reason this is blowing up is because of the larger issue – capital punishment and cruel and unusual punishment.

Because of this, most of these editorial cartoons reflect an anti-death penalty point of view. The Oklahoma incident is an easy way to gain momentum in the campaign against the death penalty, and the inhumane result of this particular lethal injection will sway people towards rejecting capital punishment. Additionally, these cartoons all show that situations such as this make our country look inept and cruel, and may help to deteriorate trust between nations regarding military/justice actions. These cartoons are all scathingly critical of the U.S. justice system.

Editorial cartoons in general are created to ignite thought about an issue, and reflect public opinion – or go against it. Because the death penalty is an issue that divides people, this topic is one that many people have strong opinions on. Taking a stance on capital punishment (even in light of the disastrous lethal injection attempt with Lockett) will create dissent and argument at some level. This just exemplifies the role editorial cartoonists play in getting the public to think critically about things going on in their country.

Going into this project, I barely had an opinion about capital punishment. I felt that it carried out that old saying, 'an eye for an eye,' but I had never looked into the issue or methods at all. So while I had no strong opinion or knowledge, I was tentatively pro-death penalty. After learning about the botched Lockett execution, I was disgusted. Not with the death penalty, but with the apparent apathy the executioners entered the situation with. If you're careful, and do your job right, things like this should never happen. So essentially, I'd say these cartoons opened my eyes to the fulfillment of capital punishment and lethal injections, and I'm outraged that one man suffered because of the laziness of another. As for capital punishment in general, however, this didn't necessarily change my mind or even inform me about the issue. This incident was isolated, not common, and therefore doesn't enter (for me) the debate over cruel and unusual punishment.