Political Cartoons
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Very likely document for Section 1 in 2012
Techniques of the cartoonists
Strengths as evidence
Weaknesses as evidence
Criticism
Comparison
Techniques
• Symbolism (symbols – where one thing stands for
another – India represented by an elephant, anything
can be represented by a human figure)
• Exaggeration (exaggerate the violence, the deceit et
cetera)
• Stereotyping (a simplified representation of something)
• Caricature( a representation of a person that
exaggerates certain characteristics)
• Humour (belittle, make it look ridiculous or ugly by
poking fun at it)
• Simplification (simplify the issues to make your point –
makes the message more forceful) Cartoonists don’t
worry about explanations or accuracy
• Use of text to clarify
Symbolism –
each figure in
this cartoon
represents
something
Also the
weapons, boots
and uniform
represent force /
violence
The cartoonist is biased. He
clearly sympathies with India
and Ireland. The figure
representing Britain is
portrayed in a negative light.
Its hostile to Britain
Zoomorphism – making a figure
animalistic shows hostility. Britain
is represented as dog or pig-like
It is an
exaggeration
and a
simplification
to show Ireland
and India crawl
before Britain. It
is a
simplification of
the issues. This
makes it very
effective as a
message, but
unreliable as
evidence
Representations of Gandhi
Gandhi is represented as:
•saintly but unrealistic
•Well-intentioned and idealistic
•Unleashing forces he cannot
control – the ferocious Indians
The Tiger represents
India, a common
symbol for India,
(along with the
elephant) These are
not necessarily
negative symbols,
because these
animals are
associated with India
Representations of Gandhi
When you are asked
How the text clarifies
the meaning, look
Carefully at the cartoon
If you took away the
words, would it make
sense? Probably not,
The cartoonist includes
Text to clarify his message
The words
underneath as
called the caption
Never forget, this is
not Gandhi
speaking. It is the
cartoonist’s
representation of
Gandhi. He is
putting words in
Gandhi’s mouth
Caricature
Caricature belittles
historical figures
British newspapers
often caricature Indian
leaders
Take nothing at face value.
The fire is not fire: it represents the
violence and destruction of India after
partition.
The storm clouds represent trouble
ahead.
The building is not a building. It is India
or Indian government.
Gandhi’s statue – how sad it looks – this
is all a betrayal of Gandhi’s great dream
of peace and unity
Here we have use of colour, which is
very effective. Colour affects us
subconsciously in a very powerful way
We associate red with danger and
violence.
We associate black with death and
despair
Provenance
• Provenance means where does the source come from.
• It is very important to remember where political cartoons
come from.
• They appear in newspapers at the time of the events that
they represent. They are produced quickly. They are not
the result of research as history books are.
• The cartoonist does not believe in remaining objective
and fair as the historian does
• They are meant to appeal to the public its aimed at and
so may reflect the views of the type of people who read
that particular paper.
• Does the cartoon come from a British newspaper? An
Indian one? A Pakistani one? Or other?
• It will reflect the biases of the newspaper it is published
in.
• This is very important when it come to blame which is an
issue with the British Withdrawal from India case study.
Questions on Political Cartoons
• What is the message of the cartoon?
• How does the text clarify (make clear) the meaning the
cartoonist intends?
• Is the cartoon a fair representation of....?
• Which figure (in the cartoon) does the cartoonist sympathize
with? is hostile to?
• Does the cartoon present a persuasive argument...?
• Do you consider it to be a biased source...?
• Which is more informative the cartoon or the other source?
(go through the sources before you. List the facts – chances
are the written source will contain more facts)
• Which would have more appeal with the public. The cartoon
or the other source?
• Which is more effective the cartoon or the other source?
• Which is more fair and balanced, the cartoon or the other
source? (reliable)
Effective?
Appeal?
• The word effective means it achieves its purpose (It does
what the cartoonist set out to do which is persuade you to his
point of view)
• Cartoons are persuasive. Exaggeration, simplification,
caricature, colour, humour... these are all used to persuade
people to a point of view.
• Propagandists like visual sources for this reason.
• Making Gandhi / Jinnah or Nehru look funny is an attack on
them. Humour is very effective. People enjoy it. Remember
though, it belittles the victim.
• Another thing that adds to their appeal is that visual
messages are instant and people trust their eyes and are not
as critical of what they see than what they read or hear. We
forget the cartoon may be unfair. It’s just a point of view.
In short, they are effective but not
reliable....
• If you are comparing to a history book or newspaper
article, the cartoon is usually more effective at
persuading the audience (when answering this
question, mention exaggeration, humour.... etc)
• The purpose of a history book or newspaper article is
to inform (not persuade)
• The cartoon will be less informative. Less factual. It
probably won’t look at both sides of the argument.
• It will therefore usually be more biased.
• If you are comparing the cartoon to a speech by
Nehru, Jinnah etc., remember you are comparing two
persuasive sources: Its up to you to decide which is
more persuasive
Speech vs. Cartoon
• If you are comparing the cartoon to a speech (by Nehru,
Jinnah etc.) remember these aretwo persuasive sources
• It’s up to you to decide which is more persuasive /which
would have more appeal with the public
• People would probably be aware that a politician is trying to
persuade them. People probably are more naïve about
cartoons.
• Talk about how instant the cartoon is; how he simplifies to
make his point effective; how he exaggerates; how he
belittles one figure and is hostile to him etc.
• The speech also has persuasive techniques which you need
to be aware of (appeal to the emotions, repetition, selective
choice of facts)
• Weigh up each before you conclude. Don’t be too quick to
conclude. You will earn lots of marks weighing up both
Tips for dealing with cartoonists
• Go through your past papers and look at all the
questions on political cartoons
• Start with the assumption that you are dealing
with very effective (persuasive) sources, but not
reliable ones
• Take nothing at face value. The cartoon is a
representation. It is a point of view.
• Very often biased. Not dealing in facts. Not
informative: persuasive
• On a simple level, if one figure is made to look
ugly, fat, mean .... the cartoonist is hostile to that
character.