Political Cartoon Analysis
By Samantha Lee and Justin Yun
"You Read Books, eh?" By Herblock
Subject: Fear of Communism in the US
Context: After World War II, beginning of Cold War
Symbolism: The men symbolize the government
The apple and ruler indicate a normal classroom setting
Jefferson's face shows disapproval, symbolizing the Founding Father's assumed anger over the interrogation
Exaggeration: The number of people and the interrogation is depicted in the extreme
Labeling: The briefcase is labeled as "Anti-subversive committees"
Analogy: Men and the teacher are an analogy to the government and normal civilians
Irony: Such an intense interrogation on an obviously innocent teacher
Purpose: Shows how unnecessary the government's suspicion of the American people was
I made my decision after listening to... By Herblock
Subject: The voting strategy on the 2000 election
Context: 2000 Bush vs. Gore election
Symbolism: The two men symbolize the American people divided between two candidates
Labeling: The buttons label the candidates each man voted for
Analogy: Comparison to the American people as a whole
Irony: Irony is represented by each man choosing their candidate to support after listening to the other candidate
Purpose: Shows how both candidates were not beneficial for the country
Balance By Herblock
Subject: Bill Clinton's presidential events
Context: Bill Clinton presenting a balanced budget for the first time in 30 years while dealing with the Monica Lewinsky scandal
Symbolism: The woman symbolizes Monica Lewinsky
The tightrope symbolizes dangerous situation Cinton was in after the scandal
The crowd represents the American people
Exaggeration: Walking across a tightrope is an exaggerated situation that symbolizes Clinton's plight
Labeling: The book is labelled budget
Analogy: The tightrope us an analogy to the delicate situation Clinton was dealing with in reality
Purpose: To show the difficult situation Clinton faced proposing the first balanced budget in 30 years while dealing with accusations from the Monica Lewinsky scandal.