In modern political cartooning two styles have begun to emerge. The traditional style, involving visual metaphors and symbols like Uncle Sam, the Democratic donkey and the Republican elephant, and labels is described as the "nast-y" style (named after Thomas Nast), and the more text-heavy "altie" style that tells a linear story, usually in comic strip format.[original research?] Although their style, technique or viewpoints may differ, editorial cartoonists draw attention to important social and political issues. Political cartoons are an effective way for artists to express their thoughts about the events in a certain period in a comical manner. Cartoons can be very diverse, but there is a certain established style among most of them. Most use visual metaphors and caricatures to address complicated political situations, and thus sum up a current event with a humorous or emotional picture. Often, their content includes stereotypical, biased and/or demonizing portrayals of people and events.
Once you have identified the persuasive techniques that the cartoonist used, DISCUSS:
What issue is this political cartoon about?
What is the cartoonist’s opinion on this issue?
What other opinion can you imagine another person having on this issue?
Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Why or why not?
What other techniques could the cartoonist have used to make this cartoon more persuasive?
Labels: Political Cartoon 8 comments
Once you have identified the persuasive techniques that the cartoonist used, DISCUSS:
What issue is this political cartoon about?
What is the cartoonist’s opinion on this issue?
What other opinion can you imagine another person having on this issue?
Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Why or why not?
What other techniques could the cartoonist have used to make this cartoon more persuasive?
Labels: Political Cartoon 8 comments
3 comments:
This cartoonist used a visual metaphor with the elephant and donkey walking away from the "screaming" voter in a spoof painting of "Scream."
-This political cartoon is about the hardships of voting when both parties candidates are not ideal, symbolized by the backs turned of the elephant and donkey.
-The cartoonist's opinion is that voting is difficult, especially when conflicting opinions are neither appealing.
-The cartoonist could have also had the opinion of the political parties being against the voter, hence why they're walking away from the voter while he is screaming.
-No, because it does not encourage or discourage a voting issue.
-Perhaps adding a specific issue to the painting, instead of the vagueness of two animals walking away from a voter.
This cartoon is written in the nast-y stlye as is illustrated by the use of all pictures and no words. The cartoonist's opinion of this issue is that voters are completely confused, illustrated by the swirling lines conveying a turbulent sea and complete confusion on the voter's face, and that they are faced with two undesirable choices(a donkey and a elephant). Voters are not being given any good options and don't want to pick from any of the choices given. Someone else might hav the opinion that they find all the controversy surrounding the election to be mentally stimulating and enjoy all the differing opinions. They may want to take the time to wade through all the information and may be confident that they will be able to make a good, educated decision. This cartoon did not persuade me one way or the other because it wasn't trying to. It just confirmed to me that politics is as confusing as I thought. The cartoonist could have picked a political party and tried to convince the reader that that party was best. He also could have written in a comic strip format using dialogue to convince the reader to vote in one direction or the other.
Jo Jo has all the details correct, in my opinion. As for my level of persuasion, I must say that if I did not already agree with the cartoonist I would not feel the slightest bit compelled to change my position. This applies to most cartoons focused on politics, in my opinion. Essentially the only political cartoons that have ever made me reconsider my positions have been those from artists that do not generally focus on such issues. When it wants to be, Calvin and Hobbes can be hilariously thought-provoking.
As for how the cartoon could be improved to be more persuasive, I propose that it ought to be entirely redesigned to focus on a discourse rather than a joke. Certainly this would be less entertaining, but it would be far more effective. My preferred solution to the problems presented by our two-party system is the alternative vote. That is, instead of voters selecting one candidate to give their support to, they number the candidates from most to least desired. This way, someone can safely support a third-party without risking the waste of their vote. Unfortunately, for this system to be implemented it would require the approval of the politicians who would be most hurt by it.
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