Political Cartoons
Tayler Salazar & Amber Gilani --2A
"This Here Country ain't Big Enough For Both of Us"
Analysis:
Date of Publication- July 27, 1977
Subject: Pollution and the Auto Industry's contribution
Context: in 1977, a fuel shortage by OPEC, accompanied by increased pollution and global warming, Americans thought about the energy issues. The government did not carry out the Clean Air Act until 1970, and the auto industry convinced Congress to delay it even further. They were given until 2004 to change, reducing the amount of air pollution.
Symbolism: The exhaust pipes in the hands of the man labelled "Auto Industry" symbolize guns, as it it taking the life of clean air, harming the environment. Thus, giving off more pollution, making the problem worse.
Exaggeration: The larger man is drawn with an evil face, exaggerated features that make him seem more scary and harmful. Also, his tubby body, larger than usual, exaggerated body represents that he is unhealthy... showing that pollution is unhealthy. Can be seen overall by the man's character. The skinny, scrawny man is drawn with exaggerated thinness, with an innocent face, showing a cleaner, healthy side pro- clean air.
Labeling: There are labels on their clothes showing their identities (pollution vs clean air).
Analogies: comparing and contrasting bad pollution to good clean air
Irony: It can seen as ironic how the man is holding two exhaust pipes instead of guns, as guns are harmful too, and that he is holding two, one in each hand rather than just one, showing how bad the auto industry is for our air.
Purpose: To catch the reader's attention and express concerns about the pollution caused by the auto industry, suggesting that they should change their ways in order to reduce pollution in the air.
Subject: Pollution and the Auto Industry's contribution
Context: in 1977, a fuel shortage by OPEC, accompanied by increased pollution and global warming, Americans thought about the energy issues. The government did not carry out the Clean Air Act until 1970, and the auto industry convinced Congress to delay it even further. They were given until 2004 to change, reducing the amount of air pollution.
Symbolism: The exhaust pipes in the hands of the man labelled "Auto Industry" symbolize guns, as it it taking the life of clean air, harming the environment. Thus, giving off more pollution, making the problem worse.
Exaggeration: The larger man is drawn with an evil face, exaggerated features that make him seem more scary and harmful. Also, his tubby body, larger than usual, exaggerated body represents that he is unhealthy... showing that pollution is unhealthy. Can be seen overall by the man's character. The skinny, scrawny man is drawn with exaggerated thinness, with an innocent face, showing a cleaner, healthy side pro- clean air.
Labeling: There are labels on their clothes showing their identities (pollution vs clean air).
Analogies: comparing and contrasting bad pollution to good clean air
Irony: It can seen as ironic how the man is holding two exhaust pipes instead of guns, as guns are harmful too, and that he is holding two, one in each hand rather than just one, showing how bad the auto industry is for our air.
Purpose: To catch the reader's attention and express concerns about the pollution caused by the auto industry, suggesting that they should change their ways in order to reduce pollution in the air.
"The Daily Sacrifices"
Analysis
Date of Publication- October 1, 1993
Subject: Gun laws and Gun control
Context: After Ronald Reagan's secretary was wounded during an assassination attempt in 1981, Congress passed a bill (Bradley Bill) which required a five day waiting period for purchasing handguns, and other anti crime measures. Although the US has the most gun fatalities, the NRA (National Rifle Association) has opposed fire-arm control legislation of any kind while also limiting the number of purchases of hand guns over a distinct period of time. The bill was signed into law in October 1993, but the NRA continues to fight it.
Symbolism: The gun in a statue form, symbolizing power and representing importance in life.
Labeling: "in Guns We Trust" the power of guns somewhat compared to God's place in humans' lives- "In God We Trust"
Analogies: Comparing and Contrasting Gods to Guns
Irony:People carrying other dead people to the gun statue, piling up in front of it, as to worship or regard it as significant.
Purpose: To show that Gun are powerful in the hands of a human, and Gun laws need to be in-forced, because too many people are being killed behind the hands of a gun. Therefore the issue needs to better controlled (by the Gun laws).
Subject: Gun laws and Gun control
Context: After Ronald Reagan's secretary was wounded during an assassination attempt in 1981, Congress passed a bill (Bradley Bill) which required a five day waiting period for purchasing handguns, and other anti crime measures. Although the US has the most gun fatalities, the NRA (National Rifle Association) has opposed fire-arm control legislation of any kind while also limiting the number of purchases of hand guns over a distinct period of time. The bill was signed into law in October 1993, but the NRA continues to fight it.
Symbolism: The gun in a statue form, symbolizing power and representing importance in life.
Labeling: "in Guns We Trust" the power of guns somewhat compared to God's place in humans' lives- "In God We Trust"
Analogies: Comparing and Contrasting Gods to Guns
Irony:People carrying other dead people to the gun statue, piling up in front of it, as to worship or regard it as significant.
Purpose: To show that Gun are powerful in the hands of a human, and Gun laws need to be in-forced, because too many people are being killed behind the hands of a gun. Therefore the issue needs to better controlled (by the Gun laws).
"Kindly Move Over a Little, Gentlemen"
Analysis
Date of Publication- January 26, 1965
Subject: Budget Issues in the government/society
Context: Lyndon B. Johnson, after being elected in 1965, he created the "Great Society" supporting new social programs, even anti poverty projects. By the end of his term, his budgets for Health, Education, and Welfare showed great advancements since the New Deal.
Symbolism: Health, Education, and Welfare represented by a little boy, symbolizing helplessness, and not given much attention compared to the older men. They symbolize the other issues that seem to be more important and given more attention, therefore represented by older independent men.
Exaggeration: The size of the child is exaggerated, significantly smaller when compared to men. The artist did this to show how insignificantly people just ignore important issues, when they should all be given attention.
Labeling: The artist puts labels on their clothes and on the sides to identify things, people, and issues. For example there is a $ sign on one of the drinks and a grade A sign on another, which are both held by the men. This further explains how money and importance are given to many issues other than health and education.
Analogies: Comparing the issues to each other regarding importance. Things are being shared among the three men but not the child.
Irony: Its Ironic how health and education are not given importance in the cartoon when in reality today's society, they are very significant in our daily lives.
Purpose: To show that there needs to be more attention given to health, education and welfare issues, because right now it is being neglected.
Subject: Budget Issues in the government/society
Context: Lyndon B. Johnson, after being elected in 1965, he created the "Great Society" supporting new social programs, even anti poverty projects. By the end of his term, his budgets for Health, Education, and Welfare showed great advancements since the New Deal.
Symbolism: Health, Education, and Welfare represented by a little boy, symbolizing helplessness, and not given much attention compared to the older men. They symbolize the other issues that seem to be more important and given more attention, therefore represented by older independent men.
Exaggeration: The size of the child is exaggerated, significantly smaller when compared to men. The artist did this to show how insignificantly people just ignore important issues, when they should all be given attention.
Labeling: The artist puts labels on their clothes and on the sides to identify things, people, and issues. For example there is a $ sign on one of the drinks and a grade A sign on another, which are both held by the men. This further explains how money and importance are given to many issues other than health and education.
Analogies: Comparing the issues to each other regarding importance. Things are being shared among the three men but not the child.
Irony: Its Ironic how health and education are not given importance in the cartoon when in reality today's society, they are very significant in our daily lives.
Purpose: To show that there needs to be more attention given to health, education and welfare issues, because right now it is being neglected.