“Grown ups’ could learn a lesson from watching cartoons.”
-James Jean-Pierre
INTRODUCTION
• The original meaning of “cartoon” comes from the Italian “CARTONE ” meaning “big paper,” and referred to a drawing made on paper as full size study for art work. Cartoon, originally, and still, a full-size sketch or drawing used as a pattern for a tapestry, printing, mosaic, or other graphic art form, but also, since the early 1840s, a pictorial parody utilizing caricature, satire, and usually humour. Cartoons are used today primarily for conveying political commentary and editorial opinion in newspapers and for social comedy and visual wit in magazines.
• Cartoons add special value to newspapers. That is why, despite advances in photography and animations technologies, cartoons still command their own place in newspapers. It is a visual medium that engages the audience and helps them understand and interpret the political, social and economic scene in the country and the world. The political cartoons lately have gained much importance and have a raised standing in a newspaper.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CARTOON
• Symbolism: Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbols, to stand for larger concepts or ideas. After you identify the symbols in a cartoon, think about what the cartoonist intends each symbol to stand for. Symbolism is important even when people are unsure of how they feel and are unable to decide on the cognitive perspective of their take on issues; studies have indicated a certain level of emotional response to the issue at hand.
• Exaggeration: Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical characteristics of people or things in order to make a point. If we study a cartoon in detail, any characteristics is always overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics and clothing are some of the most commonly exaggerated characteristics.) Cartoonists use exaggerations in size, emotions, and shape of a person or object for effectiveness.
• Labeling: Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for. Cartoonist execute the different labels the particular person or object which appear in a cartoon.
• Analogy: An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light.
• Irony: Irony is the difference between the way things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue. When one look at a cartoon, one can find any irony in the situation the cartoon depicts.
• Stereotypes and Caricature: Stereotyping is common in cartoons, in a stereotype that the cartoonist tries and explains and simplifies a largely applicable point of view. It promotes a point of view. For example, all cricket matches are fixed. Although offensive it makes a strong point which can be debated upon, it opens grounds for discussion.
TYPES OF CARTOON
• Pocket cartoon
It is a single-column cartoon having a fixed place on the first page of newspapers. Pocket cartoons deal with something related to the life of common people. They may be compassionate, humorous, or satirical.
• Political cartoon
It is also known as an editorial cartoon, which deals with contemporary political developments or events. Political cartoons are traditionally three-column cartoons. Political cartoons usually serve as a visual commentary on current events.
Comic Strip cartoon
Comic Strip Cartoons have more than one panel. They usually are a series of humorous drawings put together to make a funny plot. The last panel usually has the punch line.
• Gag Cartoons
Gag Cartoons usually consist of just one panel. This one panel shows the humour in, or makes fun of a certain group of people, rather than just a single person. Gag cartoons are usually found on greeting cards or magazines.
RELEVANCE OF CARTOON IN PRINT MEDIA & SOCIETY
• In India, political cartoons were used to propagate ideas and change. The vernacular press and political cartoons became mediums to convey change and information. Many freedom fighters used this platform to convey their thoughts, not just for freedom, post freedom struggle as well.
• Political cartoons adorn a small part of a newspaper often in a corner but it has a huge impact on the readers. A cartoon conveys a lot of information in very few words. The emotions behind the political cartoons are genuine and although harsh, are taken with a sense of humour.
• Cartoons help the readers to understand the mood of the country. They help us to understand the social, political, cultural, economic aspects of the country.
• Cartoons being simple, attractive, funny attracts the children as well as the grown up ‘s. Thus, leaving long lasting impact on readers.
• Cartoons break the monotony & present irony through sketched & boosts emotions through visualization.
• Cartoons helps to put out opinions. For example: The caricature of Indira with sharp nose during emergency. The visual metaphors help us to understand things in a better manner.
• Cartoons help the journalist & cartoonists to wisely present & comment on issues which are restricted by government
• The editorial column catches the attention of policy makers where cartoonists present public opinion through sketches.
• Cartoons amuse as well as persuade. They encourage opinion formation and decision making of reader.
• In the print media, cartoons equally assist in providing a clear mental picture, speed, understanding, help memory and provide a shared experience.
” Cartoons are a reflection of society and provide for a point of view to the people reading it. Cartoon are considered as harmless, while in reality they can unleash a revolution.”
DECLINE IN CHANGING ROLE OF CARTOONS
• The cartoonist’s lifeblood had been quieted by taboo-conscious editors who bent “over backwards” to avoid offending readers, publishers, and advertisers.
• Cartoonists have been silenced by fearful by “fearful editors” who avoid race, religion, corporate power, and other subjects that might offend.
• At the same time, they’ve been smothered by a play-nice media that “bends over backwards—and sometimes just bends over—to appease conservatives.
• Faced with declining advertising revenues and evaporating print audiences, newspapers increasingly opt to buy cartoons through syndication
• A full accounting of what is lost with the dwindling number of staff cartoonists is difficult to measure.
• It’s undeniable that editorial cartooning, even more than journalism as a whole, is in crisis. A 2012 report by the Herblock Foundation found that there were fewer than 40 editorial cartoonists with newspaper-staff jobs in America, a steep decline from more than 2,000 such positions in the beginning of the 20th century.
CONTROVERSIAL CARTOONS AND ACTION AGAINST THEM
Speaking on the side line of the awards ceremony of the 11th Maya Kamath Memorial Awards competition 2018 organised by the Indian Institute of Cartoonists, artists pointed out many things which are as
follows:
● Being political cartoonist today, we feel like we are wasting our time. There are limitations to expressing truth & sometimes you need the approval of the government.
● If the government does not take action against such political cartoons, people on social media makes sure that they take offence.
• “In West Bengal, I’ve seen cartoonist being jailed. A professor was imprisoned for even sharing a cartoon, which was against the ruling government in the state. What I can gather is that political cartoonists are no longer given the freedom to express the truth, “said Suprabho Roy,22, who won the prize for budding cartoonists at the event.
• Sedition Charges Against Aseem Trivedi
When cartoonist Aseem Trivedi was displaying cartoons during the Anti-corruption Movement in November 2011, little did he know that his work would be tagged as seditious. In September 2012, the cartoonist was charged with sedition under Section 124 (A) of the Indian Penal Code. One of his cartoons reportedly depicted the Parliament as a commode and showed the National Emblem with wolves and not lions. That was his way of satirizing unabated corruption in India.
Later, He was announced as the 2012 recipient of the “Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award” of Virginia based Cartoonists Rights Network International. He shared the award with Syrian cartoonist Ali Ferzat. He was also nominated for the Freedom of Expression Awards 2013 by London based free speech organization Index on Censorship. Winners of Freedom of Expression Awards 2017(organized by Index on Censorship) were presented with the cartoons created by Aseem Trivedi.
• RK Laxman’s Cartoon Removed from NCERT Textbooks
Eminent cartoonist, RK Laxman, who was known for taking a dig at politicians who forget their promises, had to face the ire of the people and his cartoons were deleted from the NCERT textbooks for Political and Social Science. The legendary humourist had created a cartoon showing a beggar holding a bowl before a garlanded Indira Gandhi. The panel, which was constituted by the government, identified it as an “educationally inappropriate material” and said that the cartoon should be deleted as it showed politicians and bureaucrats in “an incorrect way”.
CONCLUSION
This review provides an overview of political cartoons in print media. The impact of cartoons is widespread on our lives and how we use them in our conversation, in our dealings even in beliefs we have. Cartoons have over the years helped establish and sustain our attention to political satire and look at the lighter side of things without reducing it to a laughing matter.
Cartoons as an art form are definitely staying on the front pages and editorial pages of newspapers. As we all know that political cartoons are an important part in any newspaper. Political cartoons adorn a small part of a newspaper often in a corner but it has a huge impact on the readers. A cartoon conveys a lot of information in very few words. The emotions behind the political cartoons are genuine and although harsh are taken with a sense of humour.
We can also see that India has a number of famous cartoonists who have contributed a lot in the field of cartoon. However, this research aims at highlighting the role of cartoons in the newspapers. Editorial pages although important, have a low readership, cartoons however have not just a fan following but have a high recall value which keeps issues alive.
REFERENCES
“DNA India.” 18 Nov 2011. DNA INDIA website. 19 Nov 2011
CNN IBN (2011). Six decades of RK Laxman and his ‘Common Man’. NA, 25 Nov 2011.
http://www.curatormagazine.com/christytennant/never-underestimate-the-power-of-cartoons/
https://www.artistize.com/Blogs/famous-cartoonists-of-india
https://www.herbblockfoundation.org/sites/default/files/hbf2011whitepaper_f1.pdf
Impact of Cartoons on Newspaper Readers (A case study of Osun State Polytechnic, Community).
Political Cartoons: Now you see them. Rhonda Walker. Canadian Parliamentary Review; Spring 2003
Ritu Gairola Khanduri (2014). Caricaturing Culture in India: Cartoons and History of the Modern World. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
The Hindu. Cartoons add value to newspaper. NOVEMBER 16, 2015
Virginia edu. “A Brief History of Political Cartoons.” NA NA NA. Virginia Edu. July 23 2011.
https://askopinion.com/do-you-love-daily-cartoons-in-newspapers Laxman, R. K. (1998). The tunnel of time. India: Penguin Books.
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/double-the-compensation-of-jadavpur-professor-arrested-for-circulating-mamata-cartoons-court-tells-g-745593
https://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/social-issues/controversial-cartoons-in-india-and-public-outrage#
https://www.freepressjournal.in/cmcm/7-cartoons-that-created-controversies
Surbhi Gupta, Department of Journalism, LSR, Batch of 2022
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal
10 Responses
This is an amazing article. It is very well- structured and is appropriate to write a 15 marks answer.
However, I would like you to add 'HISTORY OF CARTOONS' as a topic in this. Following are some of the points:
Its origin can be traced back to the pre-historic era. Those days, cavemen used paint and charcoal to depict animals apart from day to day happenings.
Those in Egyptian and Mayan civilization began carving on rocks and figures of people, animals, tombs, and temples.
By the 5th and 15th centuries AD, apart from regular paintings, other forms such as fresco, tapestry, etc. emerged.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, usage of paper started, concepts of design were added.
By the 17th and 19th centuries, art forms developed and cartoons began to be used in books and other periodicals.
– Himani Jindal
Department of Journalism LSR, Batch of 2022.
I would like to commend Surbhi on the exceptionally well written article. I would like to bring forward some points how political cartoonists should aim to strike the much needed balance in presenting their art form.Political cartoons are powerful spaces in which negotiations of power and resistance are expressed. They provide insights into power relations, key social issues and events. By mocking or ridiculing the excesses and failings of elites, cartoonists can hold leaders accountable.
While the intent – and reception – of cartoons can mobilize critiques of leaders and excesses of power, they can also be divisive and regressive. This is particularly true when cartoons fail to consider local history, cultural norms, and cultural or religious difference. Eg- insensitive reactions to race/caste/creed/local history or particular context.Political and editorial cartoons are a key indicator of the democratic health of a country. They are the “canary in the coal mine”, providing a public display of opposition and dissent. They use a unique art to raise questions and speak a truth to power in ways denied to others. In this role, political cartoonists highlight abuses and excesses of power, and hold governments and leaders accountable.But cartoonists need to remain sensitive to local political and social histories.
It’s a fine line between balancing the need to protect free speech and these concerns. Political cartoonists need to continue to speak truth to power, but in so doing must ensure they do not cause division and hostility which may threaten the most fundamental of rights – the right to life.
Further reading can be done on: https://theconversation.com/cartoonists-can-be-an-important-voice-of-dissent-but-they-can-also-be-divisive-104778
-Akshita Chugh
Department of Journalism, LSR,2022
Hi, Surbhi! Your research is very holistic and thorough. There was a piece in Sunday Times recently which discussed how political memes in today's age of social media are replacing traditional concepts of newspaper cartoons. I'd suggest that we include some research around that as well, given how questions have generally come to be patterned along the lines of the changes brought by new and advanced media technologies.
Sharing a link for further perusal:
https://theconversation.com/political-cartoonists-are-out-of-touch-its-time-to-make-way-for-memes-116471
The article well exceptionally well written . All the information has been included. It gives readers everything that want to grasp as a knowledge about cartoons .
It gives readers information about history , types ,which further has been beautifully explained .
If they writen would have included some pictures along side text the presentation would have been more pleasing .
Surbhi, the article you wrote covers many divisions under Cartoon. Cartoonists have played an important role, especially in India during the time of political tensions or turmoil. Many interviews of them have been taken to understand how they capture the irony or sarcasm in one single cartoon. More could be said about the same in the article, along with famous cartoonists and their individual field of work.
Here is the link for the same : https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://cartoonistsindia.com/htm/home.htm&ved=2ahUKEwj9wpzrjOXoAhWXWX0KHSUAB4gQFjAMegQIAxAC&usg=AOvVaw2gR1rGpMBnHciW3JhZVLqO
Agrima Gulati
Department of Journalism
Surbhi, the article is very informative and covers almost all the aspects of cartoons in print media. I couldn't find anything that was missing in the article.
Although, a separate heading stating the limitations of cartoons could've been added.
Cartoons have the disadvantage of exaggerating irrelevant topics and also,
simplifying the complex ones. They are often politically motivated and make no attempt at objective, independent analysis. They can also be very unrepresentative at times. And, one of the major drawbacks, that I believe cartoons in print media have, is that they often impact and defame the character of political leaders, parties, etc., which is not completely justifiable in the journalistic profession.
Surbhi, the article is very informative and covers almost all the aspects of cartoons in print media. I couldn't find anything that was missing in the article.
Although, I'd suggest that a separate heading stating the major limitations of cartoons could've been added.
Cartoons have the disadvantage of exaggerating irrelevant events and also, simplifying the complex ones. They are often politically motivated and make no attempt at objective, independent analysis. They can also be very unrepresentative at times. And, one of the major drawbacks, that I believe cartoons have, is that they can very profoundly impact and defame Political leaders, parties etc., which is not completely justifiable in the journalistic profession.
This article is very well researched and precisely structured. It covers almost everything related to the topic. However, the writer could have highlighted more upon the evolution and limitations of cartoons. Also, the Charlie Hebdo incident could have been added.
Cartoons carry great importance in print. Be it wars or elections, cartoons leaves an unforgettable image in our minds. Many cartoons have immortalized the time and the situation which led to their creation. Here I am attaching same links for further read.
http://cartoonistsindia.com/htm/history.htm
https://mentalitch.com/the-history-of-cartoons/
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30708237
Thank you
This article has a proper structure and highlights some of the major nuances about cartoons . The information above is a useful compilation to look at .
However, I feel there needs to be some focus on how the cartoon landscape is changing and people are moving away from political juggernaut and investing time in Memes . Memes have emerged on the same platform and as not many possess the talent of making cartoons , but many can make memes. Though cartoons are not completely irrelevant but it would not be insane to say that they have slowly become a part of bygone era too .
Sharing a link for further reading.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://theconversation.com/amp/political-cartoonists-are-out-of-touch-its-time-to-make-way-for-memes-116471&ved=2ahUKEwiiwqKy6u7oAhUk6XMBHVbvBm4QFjAFegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw1kyZnYWrAK3W4fkO6KAdRH&cf=1
Malak Tariq
This article has a proper structure and highlights some of the major nuances about cartoons . The information above is a useful compilation to look at .
However, I feel there needs to be some focus on how the cartoon landscape is changing and people are moving away from political juggernaut and investing time in Memes . Memes have emerged on the same platform and as not many possess the talent of making cartoons , but many can make memes. Though cartoons are not completely irrelevant but it would not be insane to say that they have slowly become a part of bygone era too .
Sharing a link for further reading.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://theconversation.com/amp/political-cartoonists-are-out-of-touch-its-time-to-make-way-for-memes-116471&ved=2ahUKEwiiwqKy6u7oAhUk6XMBHVbvBm4QFjAFegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw1kyZnYWrAK3W4fkO6KAdRH&cf=1