Political cartoons use imagery and text to comment on current social issues. The cartoon may contain a caricature of someone well known or an allusion to current events or trends. By studying the pictorial elements and the cartoon text, you can begin to understand the cartoon's message. This can help you explore the cartoonist's goal in getting the reader to adopt a certain way of thinking about the current issue.
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Method 1 of 5: Understanding Persuasive Techniques
Step 1. Recognize the cartoonist's attempts at exaggerating visuals and text
Cartoonists often exaggerate or distort certain elements of an image to convey a message. Some elements of the image that are exaggerated include facial features or other body parts.
Step 2. Understand the symbolism
Cartoonists may use symbols to imply an idea or theme.
For example, a whirlpool may imply the problems that can arise if one gets involved with the chaotic political situation in Syria
Step 3. Understand labeling
Cartoonists may label certain elements of the cartoon. This can help readers identify the different images and ideas found in the cartoon. Labels are often juxtaposed with symbols.
For example, a whirlpool symbolizing Syria might be labeled to indicate that the whirlpool is the country of Syria
Step 4. Understand the analogy
Cartoonists may compare two different things. This technique may be used when there are complex topics or ideas that are difficult to understand. By comparing it with other things, the topic or idea can be understood by the reader more easily.
For example, if in the cartoon there is a figure of a politician putting money into the toilet, the image may imply that the politician's policy of using government funds is considered a waste
Step 5. Recognize irony
Cartoonists may use irony by using words or pictures to describe the opposite of what actually happened. This technique is used to produce a humorous effect.
Method 2 of 5: Viewing Images
Step 1. Identify the visual elements
Look at the whole cartoon and make notes about the pictures you see. Make a list of visual elements, including people, animals, other objects, and settings.
Step 2. Identify the main idea of the cartoon
Find the most memorable part of the cartoon. Often the most memorable parts of a cartoon are those that exaggerate or distort people or things to produce a humorous effect.
Step 3. Look for symbols that most people recognize
Political cartoonists usually use certain metaphors. The following is an example of the metaphor used:
- Uncle Sam or the bald eagle symbolizes the United States of America
- John Bull, Britannia or lion symbolize Great Britain
- The otter symbolizes Canada
- The bear symbolizes Russia
- Dragon symbolizes China
- The sun symbolizes Japan
- Kangaroo symbolizes Australia
- The donkey symbolizes the Democratic Party in the United States
- The elephant symbolizes the Republican Party in the United States
Step 4. Take note of the exaggeration or distortion
Look at the visual elements found in cartoons and notice how they are depicted. The appearance of a person or animal may be exaggerated or distorted.
Step 5. Look for stereotypes
Some visual elements may be stereotypes. This can help readers identify visual elements more clearly. These elements are also used to make readers aware that the stereotypes that are published are harassing and outdated.
For example, a cartoon about immigration at the southwestern border of the United States might feature a Mexican as a person wearing a poncho. The cartoon depicts the views that some people have regarding who immigrates to the United States
Step 6. Look for allusions of current events or trends
Some cartoons will relate the main idea to a recent event or trend that is well known to most people.
- For example, a cartoon about voting might include celebrities and politicians as candidates indicating that more people are interested in voting for celebrities than government officials.
- The effect of these allusions often diminishes over time as people forget about the trend or event in question.
Step 7. Look for small details
Often cartoons have minor details that help convey the humor or the main idea of the cartoon. Pictorial symbols convey minor themes or ideas. Usually these symbols can be found on the background or edges of the cartoon.
Step 8. Notice how the visual elements interact with each other
Think about how the different symbols presented relate to each other. Is there anyone in the cartoon? Where is he standing? What is he doing? Does he talk to other people? Does he interact with objects?
Method 3 of 5: Viewing Text
Step 1. Look at the label
Some people or objects may be labeled to identify them. Often these labels are included in the cartoon to let the reader know what the object represents. For example, a person wearing a suit might be labeled "Member of the House of Representatives" or a bag might be labeled with the name of a particular company.
Step 2. Look at the text bubble
People in cartoons often talk to each other or "think" about something. Read what the people said in the cartoon.
Text balloons are usually circles or squares that surround words. Thought bubbles are usually shaped like small clouds
Step 3. Read the caption (caption)
Some political cartoons have image captions. Image captions are words or phrases placed under the cartoon. It usually contains information or cartoon interpretations.
Step 4. Take note of the small details
Cartoons may contain one or more words that are printed in a small size. Such printed words are used to convey minor themes and can be found on the background or edges of the cartoon.
Step 5. Study how words reinforce the meaning of pictures
After identifying the symbols and other visual elements in the cartoon, think about how words help explain the meaning of the picture. What does the word describe in the picture? How do words strengthen your understanding of the meaning of pictures and symbols?
Method 4 of 5: Identifying Issues
Step 1. Identify the issue the cartoon refers to
Usually political cartoons comment on certain events or issues. If you don't know the issue the cartoon refers to, check the latest news to identify the cartoon story.
Step 2. Identify the people involved in the issue
To get more references, try to find out the names and roles of the people involved in the issue or event.
Step 3. Identify the perspective of the issue
The issues that arise give rise to various perspectives. If the issue raised is war, the cartoon may imply that it is pro-war or anti-war. If the issue is a news scandal, competing perspectives may favor different camps.
Note that a cartoon may contain more than two perspectives. Many news issues contain complex material and have multiple perspectives
Step 4. Do additional research on the issue
Find out the background of the issue, how the issue arose, who was affected by it, and so on.
If political cartoons relate to history, find out what the headlines were and what people's general beliefs were at the time the issue occurred. This can help deepen your understanding of cartoons
Step 5. Determine who the cartoon readers are
Political cartoons are made with the assumptions and experiences of the readers in mind. Which readers are the target readers of this cartoon? In which country do they live? What are their political tendencies?
For example, a political cartoon whose readers come from conservative circles will convey its message in a different way than a liberal reader
Method 5 of 5: Analyzing Messages
Step 1. Identify the adjectives used to describe cartoon emotions
The combination of words and pictures produces a certain meaning. Many political cartoons are made to depict some emotion. What emotions appear in cartoons?
Step 2. Determine the perspective of the cartoonist
Cartoonists have certain views on cartoon issues. After determining the issue and the cartoon's perspective on the issue, you can find out what the cartoonist has to say.
Try to explain the cartoonist's perspective in one sentence. What do cartoonists want to convey through their cartoons?
Step 3. Consider the rhetorical triangle. The Rhetorical triangle consists of three elements: ethos, pathos, and logos. These three elements make for a strong and effective rhetorical argument. Think about how cartoonists use these elements in cartoons:
- Ethos: Ethical persuasion that demonstrates the author's legitimacy as someone who can comment on this issue.
- Pathos: Emotional persuasion that seeks to attract the reader's attention by exploiting his emotions. Cartoonists may also use agreements (common ground or opinions agreed by two or more parties) so that the cartoons they make can be felt and understood by readers.
- Logos: Rational persuasion that uses logic and well-researched evidence to support arguments.
Step 4. Think about how readers react to the cartoon
Cartoon readers will probably completely agree with the cartoon's message. However, the reader may also be surprised by the contents. What makes the cartoon so controversial?
Step 5. Define the overall message of the cartoon
Think about how the different elements contained in the cartoon form the overall message. Explain the cartoon message in one sentence. How do you explain the cartoon's message to others?
Step 6. Evaluate the effectiveness of the cartoon
After collecting all the elements of the cartoon, determine whether or not you find this cartoon effective in conveying its message. Do cartoons make good arguments? Do cartoons use appropriate and meaningful symbols and words to convey views? Do people and cartoon objects represent the issue well?
Tips
- If you're having trouble digesting the meaning of a political cartoon, try discussing it with friends and coworkers.
- Stay informed about the latest happenings to better understand contemporary political cartoons.
