Interpreting Folitical Cartoons
The afi of political cartoons began early in Canada. Bythe 1890s, political cartoons were
regular features in Canadian newspapers and magazines. At th; tum of the cenhry,
political cartoons were very popular. They not only poked fun at politics and politicians,
they helped put issues into perspective. Much like written editoiiais, political cartoons
convey a point of view about a significant contemporary event, individual or issue.
As a
primary source, political cartoons can provide valuable glimpses into the past.
As historical documents, political cartoons cannot be properly understood until their
context is established. For example, a cartoon from a 19a2 newspaper will not be easily
understood unless the reader understands the historical events to which the cartoon
is
responding. Before attempting to interpret any political cartoon, it is necessary to
have a general understanding of the issue, event, or individual portrayed.
Fully appreciating the power of political cartoons requires a careful dissection of their
components. The following simple steps will help you to understand and interpret
political cartoons from the past.
1) Write out the caption
andior title.
Most times the caption andlor title will give you some insight into the issue of the
political cartoon and/or the characters involved.
2) Identify the character(s).
Caricature is the most commonly used technique of the political cartoonist. As a
form of visual satire, a caricature exaggerates or distorts an individ.ual's physical
characteristics so that the character becomes easily recosnizable.
3)
Take note of the facial expressions and mood of the characters.
4) List the key symbols (objects) in the cartoon.
Cartoonists sometimes use symbols to capture an idea or a trait. For example, a
skul1 conveys the idea of death, whereas a dove or an olive branch suggests peace.
Size is also often used as a symbol. Presenting an individual as being much larger
than others in the cartoon can syrnbolize power, strength or status. Cartoonists
sometimes reiy on stereotypes to communicate ideas. For instance, workers may
be shown as ragged and thin, while business leaders are often shown as fat and
wealthy.
5)
Determine the central issue.
Is the cartoon about reciprocity, conscription or women's rights? You should be
aware that cartoonists tend to portray issues in extremes: bad is very bad, and
good is very good. Often issues are exaggerated and facts may be distorted.
Cartoonists hope to sway the viewer's opinion tluough emotion and they
generally portray negative aspects of the percon, event or issue to discredit the
opposing point of view.
Once you determine the issue you should be able to determine what message the
cartoonist is trying to convey.
6) Determine
the cartoon's message.
The cartoon's message will visually represent the cartoonist's position on the
central issue that you identified in step five.
Once you detennine the message of the cartoon you may also be asked the following
questions about the cartoon.
A.
Who drew the cartoon? (i.e. French-Canadian, supporter of conscription, American)
B. Do you agree with the cartoon's
message? You
position with historical facts leamed in the course.
will be required to
support your
if you have wrongly interpreted ttre cartoon's message your response to
the questions posed above may also be incorrect. Consequently, it is important you make
every effort to interpret political cartoons carefully using the techniques taught in class
and recommended in this handout.
Unforfunately,
Carefully examine the political cartoon below. Use the steps outlined in this handout to
interpret this cartoon. Once you have determined the message of the cartoon answer
question A and B (see above).
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Reading PolitieaH Car€eoms
Name
Class
Political cartoons are one way of expressing an opinion about a topic.
Tips for R.eadimg PoEitical Cartoons
When "reading" or analyzing a political cartoon, try this three-step approach:
1. Think about what you already know about the issue shown in the cartoon.
This background knowledge can trelp you make sense of the cartoon's
message.
2. Examine and interpret the symbols the cartoonist used.
3. Connect all the pieces (syrnbols, words, artwork, etc.) and draw conctrusions
about the cartoonist's messase.
Cartoonists use many techniques to get their message across.
Size is often exaggerated to show relationshlps.
In the left panel of this cartoon, the
much larger man represents the farming
population in 1885. The right panel
shows the much larger city population
tn 1921.
Study the cartoon. Then read each
question and circle the correct answer.
l.
The cartoonist is trying to show that
a) by 792I, more farmers were
growing food to support fewer
city people
b) by 792I, fewer farmers were
working harder to supply food to
people in cities
c) by 1927, farrners had become shorter while city people had grown taller
2. The cartoonist is telling
people that
a) farmers are feeling less important than city people
b) city people should go on diets
c) farmers are proud to support people in cities
Copyright @ 2006 Mccraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. May be reproduced for classroom use only.
Name
Class
Symbols are used to represent big ideas.
this cartoon, the maple leaf is used as a symbol to represent Canada.
Sfudy the cartoon. Then read each question and circle the correct answer.
3. By showing a tattered maple leaf, the cartoonist is trying
to suggest that
a) Canada is a strong and united country
b) Canada needs trees to survive
c) Canadian unity is in trouble
4. The bandage on the maple leaf is the cartoonist's way of saying that
a) efforts to keep Canada together are short-term and have not solved the
real problems
b) doctors and nurses are the only ones who can save canada
c) people are working hard to keep Canadatogether
trn
Steneofyping invoives using oversimplified images, or stereotypes, to
represent character types or situations.
Study the cartoon. Then read each
question and circle the correct answer.
5. The cartoonist is using stereotypes
to show that Western Canadians
think Quebeckers are
a) srnart, friendly people
b) pot-bellied slobs who want to
break Canada apart
c) the same as Western Canadians
6. The two characters who aren't
exaggerated are so much alike that
the cartoonist must be saying that
a) Canadians are similar right
across the country
b) most Canadians look the sarne
c) all Canadians are old white rnales
copyright
@
2006 Mccraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. May be reproduced for classroom use only
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Caricature involves exaggerating the features of weli-known people
who can be easilv identified.
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Compare the photograph of forneer prirne rninister Jean Chrdtien with the
caricature created by the cartoonist. Then read each question and circle the
correct answer.
7.
The caricature suggests that the cartoonist thinks that former prime rninister
Jean Chrdtien is
a) a very foolish person
b) happy to be a private citizen again
c) worried about how he looks to the public
B. The cartoonist is telling viewers that
a) Jean Chrdtien expresses hirnself clearly
b) Jean Chrdtien does not express hirnself clearly
c)
Jean Chr6tien is a handsome, wise person
Copyright O 2006 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. May be reproduced for classroom use only
Narne
Class
Practise Readtng Political Cartoons
Use the three-step approach outlined on the first page of this activity to study this political
cartoon.
Step 1: Think about what you already
know about the issue shown in the
cartoon.
To help you understand this political
cartoon. here is some backsround
information:
.
.
In2004, Parliament found out that
the Liberal Parry had illegally given
public money to Quebec advertising
companies owned and run by
supporters and members of the parfy.
This became known as the
.
.
"sponsorship scandal" because the
money was supposed to be used to
fight separatisrn in Quebec. The plan
was to sponsor advertising that
promoted Canada and Canadian unity.
Justice John Gomery, a judge, was appointed to investigate the scandal.
Gomery's reports criticized the Liberal Party.
Step 2: Examine and interpret the symbols the cartoonist used. Record your ideas on this chart.
Item
Symbol
Meaning
Justice Gomery
Liberal Parfy
Comrption
Step 3: Connect all the pieces (symbols, words, artwork, etc.) and draw conclusions about the
cartoonist's message. Explain this message in two or three sentences. Note that the "captain,"
Justice John Gomery, is saying "Oops." In your response, include an explanation of what this
means.
Copyright
@
2006 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. May be reproduced for classroom use only
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Name
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THE GOLDEN RULE STILL APPLIES
If no one tries ro get morc theo his shere, rnd
everyone pleyr the game by the nrles, we'll suffer
no serious hardshipr in Ceneda. But, remernber,
greediness, spreeding rumors and panic buying
nald create a situerion where the ectual neceJ.
sities of life would be hard for everyone ro ger.
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JOHN TABATT I.I'IiITED
This cartoon was published March 1. 1944.
294
Copyright
@ 2001
Gage Educational Publishing