Once a Politician, Always a Butt: Introduction to Editorial Cartooning
What’s the ideal subject for a cartoonist? A tricky political situation, a spicy story, a juicy scandal? A public figure who’s caught up in a shady deal … or smells of corruption? Or perhaps an inexperienced politician who falls on his or her face? Because, as everyone knows, cartoonists really love ridiculing politicians!
Ever irreverent, cartoonists underline the faults of public figures and are always ready to pounce on the slightest misstep. They expose, exaggerate and depict reality with humour and sarcasm. Gifted with soaring imaginations, cartoonists use any number of strategies to illustrate their points of view. They exaggerate the physical characteristics, ticks and gestures of important figures, often creating characters more real than the persons themselves! They sometimes place figures in a particular setting, like dressing them up as Ulysses or a character from Shakespeare. In addition to the symbols and visual elements that they use to reinforce their messages, cartoonists use titles, speech balloons and captions to convey their message. No detail is left to chance!
But why do cartoons make us smile, if not laugh out loud? Wielding sharp pens and minds, cartoonists create visual editorials that reflect news events. They present their view of the world, shaped by their own experience and culture and even their gender. Cartoonists make us think about social issues, provoke us and stir up controversy… Although some cartoons speak for themselves, usually it’s familiarity with the context that enables us to decipher and really appreciate a cartoon. That is why it’s not always easy to grasp the meaning of old cartoons. Just dig a little, read between the lines, pay attention to the details … and ask some questions!
REFERENCES
Desbarats, Peter and Terry Mosher. The Hecklers. A History of Canadian Political Cartooning and a Cartoonists’ History of Canada. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, National Film Board of Canada, 1979.
Hou, Charles and Cynthia Hou. Great Canadian Political Cartoons. 1820-1914. Vancouver: Moody’s Lookout Press, 1997.
Hou, Charles and Cynthia Hou. The Art of Decoding Political Cartoons. A Teacher’s Guide. Vancouver: Moody’s Lookout Press, 1998.
Hustak, Allan and Don Monet. "Political Cartoons." The Canadian Encyclopedia [online]
[ http://thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001442 ] (page consulted August 9, 2006).
Layng, Craig. "Cartoons and Comic Strips." The Canadian Encyclopedia [online]
[http://thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001441] (page consulted August 9, 2006).
McCord Museum
19th- 20th Century
CANADA Canada, Canada, CANADA
© 2007, McCord Museum of Canadian History. All Rights Reserved.
Ever irreverent, cartoonists underline the faults of public figures and are always ready to pounce on the slightest misstep. They expose, exaggerate and depict reality with humour and sarcasm. Gifted with soaring imaginations, cartoonists use any number of strategies to illustrate their points of view. They exaggerate the physical characteristics, ticks and gestures of important figures, often creating characters more real than the persons themselves! They sometimes place figures in a particular setting, like dressing them up as Ulysses or a character from Shakespeare. In addition to the symbols and visual elements that they use to reinforce their messages, cartoonists use titles, speech balloons and captions to convey their message. No detail is left to chance!
But why do cartoons make us smile, if not laugh out loud? Wielding sharp pens and minds, cartoonists create visual editorials that reflect news events. They present their view of the world, shaped by their own experience and culture and even their gender. Cartoonists make us think about social issues, provoke us and stir up controversy… Although some cartoons speak for themselves, usually it’s familiarity with the context that enables us to decipher and really appreciate a cartoon. That is why it’s not always easy to grasp the meaning of old cartoons. Just dig a little, read between the lines, pay attention to the details … and ask some questions!
REFERENCES
Desbarats, Peter and Terry Mosher. The Hecklers. A History of Canadian Political Cartooning and a Cartoonists’ History of Canada. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, National Film Board of Canada, 1979.
Hou, Charles and Cynthia Hou. Great Canadian Political Cartoons. 1820-1914. Vancouver: Moody’s Lookout Press, 1997.
Hou, Charles and Cynthia Hou. The Art of Decoding Political Cartoons. A Teacher’s Guide. Vancouver: Moody’s Lookout Press, 1998.
Hustak, Allan and Don Monet. "Political Cartoons." The Canadian Encyclopedia [online]
[ http://thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001442 ] (page consulted August 9, 2006).
Layng, Craig. "Cartoons and Comic Strips." The Canadian Encyclopedia [online]
[http://thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001441] (page consulted August 9, 2006).
McCord Museum
19th- 20th Century
CANADA Canada, Canada, CANADA
© 2007, McCord Museum of Canadian History. All Rights Reserved.
