SST3772-ABED_1: How to Analyze a Political Cartoon

12. How to Analyze a Political Cartoon

A political cartoon is designed to portray a particular opinion on a current event or issue often in a humorous way. To understand a political cartoon, the viewer has to have an understanding of what is happening in the news. Otherwise, although the the image might be funny, the viewer will not understand the cartoonist's message-the viewer will miss the point!

To understand the cartoon, look at the context. Look for details that provide clues about the political issue. Words and captions are helpful. The viewer must know something about what is happening in the world at the time the cartoon was drawn.

Symbolism	Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbols, to stand for larger concepts or ideas. Identify the symbols in a cartoon; then, think about what the cartoonist intends for each symbol to mean.
Exaggeration	Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical characteristics of people or things to make a point. Look for any characteristics that seem overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics and clothing are some of the most commonly exaggerated characteristics.) Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make through exaggeration.
Labeling	Cartoonists often label objects or people to show clearly what they stand for. Watch for the various labels that appear in a cartoon, and ask yourself why the cartoonist chose to label that particular person or object. Does the label make the meaning of the object more clear?
Analogy	An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light. What two situations does the cartoon compare? When you understand the main analogy, decide if this comparison makes the cartoonist's point more clear to you.
Irony	Irony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be or the way things are expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinions on issues. Look for irony in the situation the cartoon depicts. Think about the point the irony might be intended to emphasize. Does the irony help the cartoonist express his or her opinion more effectively?

After you have identified the persuasive techniques the cartoonist used, answer the questions below:

Who are the people in this picture? What are they doing?
Where and when did this event occur?
To what subject in the news does this cartoon refer?
How do the words and captions relate to the cartoon?
What techniques are used?
What is the artist's opinion on this subject?
What perspective is conveyed?
For the purposes of this course, what does the cartoon have to do with globalization?
Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Explain.

Consider this cartoon...

Then, read how one student answered the questions:

Who are the people in this picture? What are they doing?

In the first frame, a crowd of people is in a city park celebrating Earth Day. In the second frame, the same park is shown after the celebration-with garbage everywhere.
Where and when did this event occur?
In a large city (skyscrapers and crowds) in the modern day (because of the technology and the fact Earth Day is a recent celebration). The first frame is one sunny day, and the next frame is the next day, a cloudy day.
To what subject in the news does this cartoon refer?

Earth Day celebrations is the specific event.
How do the words and captions relate to the cartoon?

The words "before" and "after" relate to the celebration and after-effects. Captions are "Think Globally" and "Yeah, Yeah, and act locally." These relate to the cartoon in that they show the irony of the situation-that people who claim to love the earth actually do not take measures to protect it.
What techniques are used? Irony (actions of so-called environmentalists leave a mess) and exaggeration (lots of garbage, colours are very bright in the first frame and gray in the second)
What is the artist's opinion on this subject?

The cartoon refers to the whole idea that a lot of people claim to be "environmentalists" but they actually don't really do anything to protect the environment. Their actions actually hurt the earth. A further detail to support this is that in the second frame, the weather is very bad. It makes it seem depressing, but it also shows climate change-a long-term effect of not protecting the environment.
What perspective is conveyed?

I would say the perspective is environmentalist because the cartoonist shows that people are not really protecting the environment, and they need to do something real to prevent climate change.
For the purposes of this course, what does it have to do with globalization?

Environmental issues affect everyone on the globe. Everyone needs to take action to protect the planet for future generations with real actions, not just big celebrations.
Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Explain.

Yes. I think a lot of people pay lip service to the environmental issue, but they still drive Hummers and buy more stuff than they need and live in big houses. Unless they really act locally, change will not happen.