Which Statement is Most Directly Related to the Issues that Both Political Cartoons Illustrate? A Guide to Understanding Editorial Cartoons

^{Political cartoons are a form of editorial commentary that use humor, satire, and caricature to express the artist’s opinion on current events, politics, and public figures. They can be found in newspapers, magazines, websites, and social media platforms. Political cartoons can have a powerful impact on public opinion and political discourse, as they can simplify complex issues, expose hypocrisy, criticize injustice, or celebrate achievements.}

^{However, political cartoons can also be challenging to interpret, as they often rely on visual symbols, cultural references, historical context, and hidden meanings. To understand political cartoons, one needs to pay attention to the details of the image, the text, the tone, and the message. In this article, we will explore some of the techniques and elements that political cartoonists use to convey their opinions, and how to analyze them critically.}

^{Elements of Political Cartoons}

^{According to Britannica1, political cartoons typically include the following elements:}

• ^{Caricature: This is the exaggerated or distorted representation of a person’s physical features or personality traits. Caricature is used to mock or ridicule the subject of the cartoon, or to emphasize a particular aspect of their character or behavior. For example, a cartoonist may draw a politician with a large nose to suggest that they are dishonest or nosy.}
• ^{Symbolism: This is the use of images or objects that stand for something else, usually an abstract idea or concept. Symbolism is used to convey a message or a point of view without using words. For example, a cartoonist may use a dove to symbolize peace, or a snake to symbolize evil.}
• ^{Analogy: This is the comparison of two different things that have some similarities. Analogy is used to explain or illustrate a complex issue or situation by using a simpler or familiar one. For example, a cartoonist may compare a country’s foreign policy to a game of chess, or a politician’s campaign to a circus.}
• ^{Irony: This is the contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, or between what is said and what is meant. Irony is used to expose contradiction, hypocrisy, or absurdity. For example, a cartoonist may show a politician saying one thing but doing another, or a leader claiming to be democratic but acting like a dictator.}
• ^{Sarcasm: This is the use of harsh or bitter words that are intended to hurt or mock someone or something. Sarcasm is used to express contempt, anger, or frustration. For example, a cartoonist may use sarcasm to criticize a policy that has failed or backfired.}

^{How to Analyze Political Cartoons}

^{To analyze political cartoons effectively, one needs to ask some questions that can help identify the main elements and message of the cartoon. Here are some possible questions:}

• ^{Who are the characters in the cartoon? Identify the people or groups that are depicted in the cartoon. Are they real or fictional? Are they recognizable or anonymous? How are they drawn? Are they caricatured or realistic? What do their facial expressions, gestures, clothing, and accessories reveal about them?}
• ^{What is the setting of the cartoon? Identify the place and time where the cartoon takes place. Is it specific or general? Is it historical or contemporary? How is it drawn? Are there any details that indicate the location or period? What do they imply?}
• ^{What is the action in the cartoon? Identify what is happening in the cartoon. Is it static or dynamic? Is it literal or figurative? How is it drawn? Are there any symbols or analogies that represent the action? What do they mean?}
• ^{What is the text in the cartoon? Identify any words that appear in the cartoon. Are they spoken by the characters (dialogue) or written by the artist (caption)? Are they direct or indirect? Are they clear or ambiguous? How do they relate to the image? Do they support or contradict it?}
• ^{What is the tone of the cartoon? Identify the attitude or emotion that the artist expresses in the cartoon. Is it positive or negative? Is it serious or humorous? Is it subtle or obvious? How does it affect your reaction to the cartoon?}
• ^{What is the message of the cartoon? Identify the main point or opinion that the artist wants to communicate in the cartoon. Is it factual or subjective? Is it explicit or implicit? Is it persuasive or informative? Do you agree or disagree with it?}

^{Example: Analyzing Two Political Cartoons}

^{To illustrate how to apply these questions, let’s look at two political cartoons that deal with similar issues: climate change and environmental activism.}

^{Cartoon 1 by Dave Granlund, Cagle Cartoons, Inc.}

^{Cartoon 2 by Steve Sack, The Minneapolis Star Tribune}

^{Here are some possible answers to the questions for each cartoon:}

^{Cartoon 1}

• ^{Who are the characters in the cartoon? The main character is a young girl who is holding a sign that says “Save the Planet”. She is wearing a green shirt and a backpack, and has a determined expression on her face. She represents the environmental activists who are protesting against climate change and demanding action from the governments and corporations. The other characters are two men who are wearing suits and ties, and have cynical expressions on their faces. They represent the politicians and business leaders who are ignoring or dismissing the environmental crisis and the activists’ demands.}
• ^{What is the setting of the cartoon? The cartoon takes place in a city street, where the girl is standing in front of a building that has a sign that says “World Leaders Summit”. The building implies that the cartoon is referring to a specific event, such as the COP26 conference that took place in Glasgow, Scotland, in November 2021. The street is filled with cars, buses, and trucks that are emitting smoke and pollution. The sky is dark and cloudy, and there is a sign that says “Air Quality Alert”. The setting implies that the cartoon is depicting the current situation of the world, where climate change is causing environmental degradation and health risks.}
• ^{What is the action in the cartoon? The action in the cartoon is mostly figurative, as it shows the contrast between the girl’s sign and the men’s words. The girl is holding up her sign as a symbol of her activism and her hope for a better future. The men are walking past her and saying “Kids say the darndest things” as a symbol of their indifference and their mockery of her cause. The action implies that the cartoon is criticizing the lack of action and accountability from the world leaders who are failing to address the climate emergency.}
• ^{What is the text in the cartoon? The text in the cartoon consists of dialogue spoken by the men and caption written by the artist. The dialogue is direct and clear, as it shows what the men are saying to each other. The caption is indirect and ambiguous, as it does not state the artist’s opinion explicitly, but rather invites the reader to infer it from the image. The text relates to the image by contrasting the girl’s sign with the men’s words. The text supports the image by reinforcing the message of the cartoon.}
• ^{What is the tone of the cartoon? The tone of the cartoon is negative and sarcastic, as it expresses contempt and anger towards the world leaders who are ignoring or dismissing the environmental crisis and the activists’ demands. The tone affects your reaction to the cartoon by making you feel sympathy for the girl and resentment for the men.}
• ^{**What is}

^{the message of the cartoon?** The message of the cartoon is subjective and implicit, as it does not state the artist’s opinion explicitly, but rather invites the reader to infer it from the image and text. The message of the cartoon is persuasive, as it tries to convince you to agree with its point of view. The message of the cartoon is that world leaders are not taking climate change seriously enough, and that they are mocking and ignoring the voices of young activists who are fighting for their future.}

^{Cartoon 2}

• ^{Who are the characters in the cartoon? The main character is a young boy who is holding a sign that says “There Is No Planet B”. He is wearing a blue shirt and a cap, and has a worried expression on his face. He represents the environmental activists who are protesting against climate change and demanding action from the governments and corporations. The other character is an old man who is wearing a suit and tie, and has a smug expression on his face. He represents the politicians and business leaders who are ignoring or dismissing the environmental crisis and the activists’ demands.}
• ^{What is the setting of the cartoon? The cartoon takes place in a city street, where the boy is standing in front of a building that has a sign that says “Climate Summit”. The building implies that the cartoon is referring to a specific event, such as the COP26 conference that took place in Glasgow, Scotland, in November 2021. The street is empty except for a car that is parked behind the boy. The car has a license plate that says “CO2” and a bumper sticker that says “I Love Fossil Fuels”. The setting implies that the cartoon is depicting the current situation of the world, where}