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

more features of a person or thing. It attempts to say something about the person/thing’s character, beliefs, actions or significance.

• Makes them easily recognizable.

• Made Obama’s ears large

CARICATURE• Facial expression and

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).

• Jimi Hendrix

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 1837Political 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.