Example of Interpretation of Political Cartoons

For the interpretation of political cartoonsIt must be clear that artists design their cartoons highlighting the most important points they want to communicate.

To highlight they use exaggeration and distortion, which makes features or movements more visible to the observer

They generally do not have a text and if they do, it is very brief; This was due to the fact that in the beginning political cartoons were directed at illiterate people, especially in the 19th century. In addition, they were aimed at a specific audience and the cartoon had to spread quickly to have the expected effect.

Example of interpretation of a political cartoon:

First.- Recognize the message you want to give, identifying each character and what is said about him.

Second.- It is necessary to know to which public the cartoon is directed, as this greatly influences its acceptance and electoral effect.

Third.- Interpretation, the interpretation is personal, although it is totally influenced by the intention of the artist and by the social circumstance that exists at the time.

How much.- The context of these cartoons is divided into the main information and the small images that surround the main one.

Fifth.- Universality, this is achieved when the cartoon presents social phenomena that by their nature are repetitive, such as wars, greed and theft, etc.

Humor.- Humor is one of the mechanisms that artists use to get closer to their readers, since fun is an important part of the message, whether it be ridiculing or exalting the characters.

Seventh.- Text. The text is a complement, because as we said it is reduced and generally complements the message that is captured in the image.