Comissaria de Propaganda de la Generalitat de CatalunyaHow should you study a cartoon?

Cartoons are excellent pieces of evidence. They are designed to make a point, usually political, in a visual way which is easy for people to understand. However, as we are looking at them long after they were drawn, we must use our historical knowledge to make sense of them.

When looking at cartoons you should remember that the cartoonist is trying to make a point – everything that s/he has drawn will help convey a central message.

"The Nationalists," Juan Antonio Morales, 1937

"The Nationalists,"
Juan Antonio Morales, 193

Azaña_Madrid_1937

Homenaje A Madrid
Map of the Iberian Peninsula superimposed over the castellated shield of Madrid, which bears the text.
Photographic reproduction of statue of two lions from the Fountain of Cybeles in Madrid.
21st january 1937. Manuel Azaña. Ministerio de Propaganda
Imperial War Museum Spanish Civil War Poster Collection- link-

Aixafem el feixisme_Català_Pere

Aixafem el feixisme. Pere Català.1936-39
A foot clad in an espadrille stamps on and cracks a swastika, which is lying on a cobbled street.
Comissaria de Propaganda de la Generalitat de Catalunya.
Imperial War Museum Spanish Civil War Poster Collection- link-


You have to pay attention to:
The rubric above the cartoon will give you information on:

• The author who drew the cartoon. This may give you a good indication of the stance of the cartoon – e.g. David Low was known to be critical of appeasement.

• The date the cartoon was drawn. Use your knowledge to think about what was happening at this time.

• The publication that the cartoon appeared in: Cartoons from an American newspaper, British satirical magazine or a German propaganda poster will be very different.

In the cartoon look at:

• The people shown. Check how the cartoonist has drawn them.
   What are they doing? How are they dressed?
   Do they represent historical figures (e.g. Franco,Hitler) or national stereotypes?
   Look carefully at how the people relate to each other in the scene – facial expressions will give you some good clues.

• The labels in the cartoon are used by the cartoonist to make sure you understand what is being shown and to highlight significant objects or people. Again, this gives a strong hint about the message of the cartoon.

• The background of the cartoon should not be forgotten. There may be some important details shown there too.

•  The caption of the cartoon is usually the key to unlocking the message. It could perhaps be a play on words or parody a common saying or turn of phrase.



Darrera modificació: dijous, 25 de gener 2018, 20:01