In all political cartoons, even dating back to the very first in
history, they have similar structure. Political cartoons have a center image,
often times caricature, which parodies the individual. This is the meat of the
image and contains the message even if it doesn’t contain words. As with
Benjamin Franklins “Join or die” the images are broken apart, meaning that the
space between the parts is just as important as the pieces themselves.
history, they have similar structure. Political cartoons have a center image,
often times caricature, which parodies the individual. This is the meat of the
image and contains the message even if it doesn’t contain words. As with
Benjamin Franklins “Join or die” the images are broken apart, meaning that the
space between the parts is just as important as the pieces themselves.
Even more important than the structure is the opinion. The
opinion is protected through freedom of expression and press so the artist is
free to be as vague or as extreme as they want. Because political cartoons are
often based on a person/group in power or public issue, the image often is
expressed in a political party point of view. This point of view can be seen in
Nast’s images with the use of the donkey labeled Copper head. During this time,
Nast was still a republican and was portraying his opinion of the Democratic
Party. Later, in his Third Term Panic drawing, he turns away from both political
parties and portrays them both in a negative way.
opinion is protected through freedom of expression and press so the artist is
free to be as vague or as extreme as they want. Because political cartoons are
often based on a person/group in power or public issue, the image often is
expressed in a political party point of view. This point of view can be seen in
Nast’s images with the use of the donkey labeled Copper head. During this time,
Nast was still a republican and was portraying his opinion of the Democratic
Party. Later, in his Third Term Panic drawing, he turns away from both political
parties and portrays them both in a negative way.
Finally, public reaction is the goal of any political cartoon.
No cartoonist summits a picture hoping that no one will see it. Whether the goal
of the image is shock and awe, or simply giving light to issue, all images are
made to cause the public to do or act in a certain way. With Sean’s monkey
drawing, this was a bold image seeking attention, possibly to get his name out
in the world and allow him to sell his images himself. Another example could be
Kean’s Bomb hat picture. While I don’t believe that Kean ever meant to have such
a hostile reaction, he did get a large up roar.
No cartoonist summits a picture hoping that no one will see it. Whether the goal
of the image is shock and awe, or simply giving light to issue, all images are
made to cause the public to do or act in a certain way. With Sean’s monkey
drawing, this was a bold image seeking attention, possibly to get his name out
in the world and allow him to sell his images himself. Another example could be
Kean’s Bomb hat picture. While I don’t believe that Kean ever meant to have such
a hostile reaction, he did get a large up roar.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, this is especially
true for political cartoons. These cartoons present a very complex issue or idea
in a simpler manner. These images are designed to produce a reaction such as
support, rejection, and even anger. These images express the opinion of the
artist, even if that opinion might offend others. And these images give light to
issues that some might not others know about. These images have been around for
a very long time and we should expect to have them as long as we have politics.
true for political cartoons. These cartoons present a very complex issue or idea
in a simpler manner. These images are designed to produce a reaction such as
support, rejection, and even anger. These images express the opinion of the
artist, even if that opinion might offend others. And these images give light to
issues that some might not others know about. These images have been around for
a very long time and we should expect to have them as long as we have politics.