How do you analyze a political cartoon?

Analyzing a Cartoon (My ideas)

When I think about analyzing a cartoon, while some people might think it is a joke, it is an actual thing done, especially in historic components.

I remember going over it several times in both English classes and World History class. We used to go over key points that one should keep an eye out for in the task.

- Keep an eye out for the bigger concepts: usually, there is a lot of symbolism in there

- Don't focus on the big picture all the time, take a moment to break it down, every piece has a meaning

- Look for labels, exaggerations, color, styles, what the image portrays things as

- What is being expressed?

- Is there a hidden meaning or is it all out in the open?

- Is it comparing to something?

- Is it based on facts or bias?

- What do you get the feeling of from this cartoon?

Analyzing a Cartoon (Research/Official Guide)

(I used a snipping tool)

Comparison:

Compared to the guide, I think I had a decent idea of what to look for and a few questions I should ask. If I had to analyze a cartoon before searching up the official guide I believe I would have done just fine. I did learn, however, that when looking at Symbolism, Irony, Exaggeration, Analogy, and Labeling though, and the questions posed in the guide give me a more specific idea of what to ask myself and look for.

Summarize...

As mentioned, I believe even before the guide I had a very decent idea of how to analyze a cartoon, mostly because of my World History teacher, shout out to Mr. Matthews. I think a big part of analyzing and expressing exactly how the cartoon made one feel personally, and then getting into the nitty-gritty of specifically what can be drawn from the detail. Going forward I will be following the guide above in asking myself those questions and following the steps.

Analyzing:

Spanish-American War

To me, it looks like this is a political cartoon about the Spanish-American War, came to this idea because of recent history reading in all honesty, not just from memory...  Spain's territories included Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Cuba was treated in a cruel manner by Spain, a lot of it in economic resources. Hearing this, I know that the U.S. became upset since for some reason our nose is stuck everywhere and we felt like we had a responsibility to help... So the Cartoon is showing Uncle Sam as a symbolization of the U.S, pulling ships after him. Because we wanted to claim Cuba to help and give them good resources, Spain was angry! Why would anyone give up territory so easily? They wouldn't, it is why 'War' is labeled in the clouds, and the President McKinley at the time declared war in turn. Specifically, the cartoonists techniques were labeling, 'War' in the clouds, Cuba/Havana on the island.

Persuasively, the cartoon does give me an idea of what had happened, though without previous knowledge I would have been confused at the message... Just with the general "WAR DECLARED WITH SPAIN - 1898" being the only explainer.. 

Imperialism to China

Now this cartoon is expressing the symbolism of Uncle Sam as the U.S. (again, I am seeing this as a reoccurring trend) and by the looks of it, a stereotypical Chinese man. The irony of the cartoon is how it is as if we are making things the Chinese desperately needed, and that they were so open and accepting to it, when in fact it was the opposite. Labeling would be the name tags on the items Sam is carrying: bridges, steel rails, mowing machines. Then there is the labeling of all those signs of things the Chinese are wanting, and the stepping stone of the Philippines with a claiming American flag showing we own the place and can use them to get to the actual goal under the impression the U.S. wanted to help them. An analogy would also be the book of education and Religion, China was already educationally advanced and forward in their religion, not wanting to accept Christianity the U.S. sought to bring... The whole thing seems an exaggeration of how the U.S. came to be in contact with China.

For this cartoon, I think it is very "Pro-'merica", giving the exaggerated belief of China being in such need, and a dutiful Sam coming over to help, carrying the burden of global trade... Which was a bit of the goal all along even when claiming the Philippines.