Sophs- Political Cartoons

Political cartoons have influenced public opinion since the mid 1800s. They contain symbolism, caricatures, and imagery to express a political viewpoint. In class this week, we learned about one of the most famous cartoonists, Thomas Nast, whose cartoons exposed the corruption of Boss William Tweed. Nast's cartoons were especially significant because immigrants and poor illiterates were able to understand the meaning of the cartoon.

Now, let's look at several current political cartoons from the week of February 21st, 2011. Like Thomas Nast's progressive cartoons, all of the cartoons below have a purpose. Every symbol is purposefully included and every word and character has a meaning.

You must CHOOSE ONE of the following cartoons to analyze. Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1. Identify the objects or people you see in the cartoon. 1-2 SENTENCES.

2. Identify the cartoon caption and/or title. 1 SENTENCE

3. Identify any symbols and their meaning. 2-3 SENTENCES.

4. Describe the action taking place. 3+ SENTENCES.

5. What is the background information of this cartoon? You must do some research in the news to answer this question. This should be at least 7-8 SENTENCES.

6. Explain the message of the cartoon. 3 SENTENCES.

Political Cartoons Options