Introduction to Political Cartoons

Caricature

A caricature is an EXAGGERATED DRAWING of a person. Artists usually draw people with physical features that are larger than they actually are to make a point. LOOK for physical features that are obviously exaggerated. ASK yourself: What point is the cartoonist trying to make about the person?

Stereotypes

A stereotype is an over-simplified drawing of what a racial group looks like. Cartoonists use stereotypes so we can easily identify which group of people the cartoon is describing. For example, Jewish people were drawn with a long nose and a Jewish prayer hat. Chinese were drawn with a long ponytail, narrow eyes, and a thin mustache. These stereotypes can be quite upsetting for us, since they can be offensive.

Symbolism

A symbol is a drawing used to represent something else, a concept, an idea, qualities, or groups. Cartoonists use simple objects (symbols) that we are familiar with. For example, dollar signs represent money. A grave stone represents death. LOOK for symbols to help you understand the cartoon.

Labeling

To help us understand what each person represents, cartoonists will often write a name on the major figures. Cartoonists will label famous politicians or countries. The labels will appear at the top or bottom of a cartoon. LOOK for the labels when interpreting a cartoon.

Questions to ask yourself when interpreting political cartoons

Who or what is represented by the CARICATURES, by the STEREOTYPES, and by the SYMBOLS? Who or what has been LABELED? What information is provided by the CAPTION? What is the POLITICAL ISSUE being mentioned in the cartoon? What is the ANALOGY? *What does the cartoonist want me to think about the issue?*

What are the 6 visual codes we can use to help us understand political cartoons?

1. Caricature 2. Labeling 3. Symbolism 4. Captions 5. Stereotypes 6. Analogies

Analogy

An analogy compares two things to highlight some similarity in ideas. This comparison of a complex political idea or issue with something more simple that an audience can understand allows the cartoonist to convey a message. For example, if two politicians are depicted as a couple dating, it implies a close relationship.

Captions / Bubble Speech

Cartoonists reveal important information through SPEECH BUBBLES drawn near a character. These words express what the character is saying. Cartoonists may also use CAPTIONS at the bottom/top of the image. This is to help us understand the historical event or issue the drawing is based upon.

What is a political cartoon and what is its purpose?

A drawing created to provide a humorous or critical opinion about political events or persons. The purpose is to convince the audience to take a particular view on a historical event. A political cartoon expresses the opinion of the artist.

Practice: Caricature What is the cartoonist exaggerating? Why? (Flip card to see cartoon.)

The cartoonist is exaggerating the lips and facial features of Trump and Putin to make fun of them and how they work closely together.

Practice: Captions/Bubble Speech What do the speech bubbles and captions reveal? (Flip card to see cartoon.)

The caption is "The only time Congress bothers to lift a finger". This shows what the cartoonist is showing in the drawing. The speech bubbles say "It's all their fault!" This shows that the cartoonist is showing that both Democrats and Republicans blame each other for everything.

Practice: Analogy What is the cartoonist comparing? (Flip card to see cartoon.)

The cartoonist is comparing Obama's presidency to a father holding hands and talking to his child.

Practice: Labeling What do the labels reveal? What is the cartoonist suggesting? (Flip card to see cartoon.)

The labels reveal that the two men at the table are Trump and Putin. This helps us understand who is in the picture. The cartoonist is suggesting that Trump and Putin work closely together in politics.

Practice: Symbolism What symbol is used in this cartoon? What does it represent? How does it help us understand what the cartoonist is saying? (Flip card to see cartoon.)

The symbol used in this cartoon is the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty represents America and democracy, so... the cartoon is suggesting that Donald Trump is destroying America and does not value democratic principles.