Click on a political cartoon to learn more!
Why was this website created?
• Provide visitors with background information about cartoonists, as well as different interpretations of political cartoons, to encourage deeper analysis into the intent and techniques employed to communicate a meaning
• Explore how one’s background, values, and interests influence their analysis and interpretation of a political cartoon
• Create a space where visitors can exchange ideas, comment on the cartoons and information provided, and form opinions about the success of cartooning techniques
• Explore how one’s background, values, and interests influence their analysis and interpretation of a political cartoon
• Create a space where visitors can exchange ideas, comment on the cartoons and information provided, and form opinions about the success of cartooning techniques
What is there to explore?
This website presents 5 cartoons, from 5 different artists, published within the context of the 2012 presidential elections. For each cartoon the following information is provided:
1. Artist’s Background
• Explore possible motives, values, and techniques that may be emphasized in the cartoon and provide additional insight for interpretations
2. My Interpretation
• Presenting how I feel the cartoon works with respect to caricature, text, references, coloring, structure, and other techniques
• Influenced by personal experience, course material, and literature analyzing political cartoons
3. Other Interpretations
• Providing and encouraging analysis and comments from others to broaden the discussion
• Interpretations gathered from a survey of laypeople, student humor experts, and professional humorists
1. Artist’s Background
• Explore possible motives, values, and techniques that may be emphasized in the cartoon and provide additional insight for interpretations
2. My Interpretation
• Presenting how I feel the cartoon works with respect to caricature, text, references, coloring, structure, and other techniques
• Influenced by personal experience, course material, and literature analyzing political cartoons
3. Other Interpretations
• Providing and encouraging analysis and comments from others to broaden the discussion
• Interpretations gathered from a survey of laypeople, student humor experts, and professional humorists
Who made this website?
• White female, born in 1991
• Midwestern, small town roots
• Studying agricultural engineering at University of Illinois
• Enrolled in American Visual Humor, an art history class
• Voted for Obama, but no strong connection to either party
• Family is divided in political affiliations
• Tend to avoid discussions of politics
• Midwestern, small town roots
• Studying agricultural engineering at University of Illinois
• Enrolled in American Visual Humor, an art history class
• Voted for Obama, but no strong connection to either party
• Family is divided in political affiliations
• Tend to avoid discussions of politics