Analyzing and Interpreting Political Cartoons

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Analyzing and InterpretingPolitical Cartoons

• CHC 2D0

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Analyzing and Interpreting Political Cartoons

• Political cartoons must make their point
  succinctly and forcefully.
• The most successful cartoonists rely on one or
  more of the following techniques to make a bold
  visual statement.

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Analyzing and Interpreting Political Cartoons
Exaggeration An object, person, situation or
idea is overstated. An issue, particularly where
someone is perceived to be at fault or wrong, is
emphasized and underlined by magnifying or
diminishing its relative importance. Also see
Size and Caricature.
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Analyzing and Interpreting Political Cartoons
Size A difference in size among objects or
people emphasizes or diminishes the relative
importance of objects or people.
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Analyzing and Interpreting Political Cartoons
Caricature Probably the most widely used
technique, caricature purposefully exaggerates a
particular part of a figure (often in the face)
or an object. The figures or objects will appear
distorted or ridiculous while remaining instantly
recognizable
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Caricatures of Political Leaders
Jacques Parizeau Leader of Parti Québécois
during The 1995 Referendum
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Caricatures of Political Leaders
Lucien Bouchard Form member of PC, former
leader of Bloc Québécois, former leader of Parti
Québécois
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Caricatures of Political Leaders
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Caricatures of Political Leaders
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Analyzing and Interpreting Political Cartoons
Stereotyping Groups of people may be represented
in an over-simplified and inaccurate fashion to
call attention to them or to the central issue.
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Analyzing and Interpreting Political Cartoons
Allusion Political cartoons refer to current
events and issues. Consequently, the political
cartoon may lose some of its effect with the
passage of time.
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Analyzing and Interpreting Political Cartoons
Symbolism In cartoons, one object can, and often
does, stand for another. A comparison is clearly
made between two or more otherwise separate
figures, objects or events.
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Analyzing and Interpreting Political Cartoons
Comparison / Contrast Differences or
similarities can be highlighted by placing
similar or different items or people together.
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Analyzing and Interpreting Political Cartoons

• Step One
• When analyzing political cartoons, you must
• Identify the main features by
• Describing all the elements in the cartoon
• Look for a date and/or place on the cartoon
• Identifying and explaining the cartoon devices
  used
• Decide which are the most important elements to
  help you in understanding what the cartoon is
  about

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Identifying
1. What are the main elements?
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identifying

• Identify when and where the
• cartoon was created.

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Identifying
comparison

• Identify and explain the main
• cartoon techniques used.

Stereotyping
Symbolism
Caricature
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Identifying

1. What are the most important elements?
2. What might they be saying?

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Analyzing and Interpreting Political Cartoons

• Step Two
• When analyzing political cartoons, you must
• Analyze the cartoon as a whole by
• Identifying the main event or issue in the
  cartoon
• Explain the cartoonists message about the event

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Analyzing

1. What is the event being depicted?

Referendum 1995 OR Meech Lake Accord?
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Analyzing

• 2. What is the cartoonists message?

• Separation is going to fail because of
• Parizeau, Aboriginals, OR
• Both?

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Analyzing and Interpreting Political Cartoons

• Step Three
• When analyzing political cartoons, you must
• Judge the effectiveness of the cartoon by
• Agreeing or disagreeing with the cartoonists
  take on the event or issue
• Deciding how well or poorly the cartoon presents
  the event, issue, or people involved

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Judging

• Do you agree with the cartoonists take on this
  issue?

Yes Separatism hurts Quebec OR No Separatism
benefits Quebec
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Judging

• Has the cartoon presented the issue well?

Yes its clear, succinct, funny OR No it
presents negative stereotypes
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Practice
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Practice
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Practice
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Applying the Concepts

• You have had an opportunity to examine, analyze,
  interpret and judge examples of political
  cartoons on a number of issues.
• Now its time to create your own political
  cartoon.
• Pick a current issue and use three or more of the
  common cartoon devices / techniques.