Political Cartoon

What have I learned about creating meaning through the interaction of visual and lexical elements?

For the past few weeks, we looked at analyzing political cartoons and finding the deeper meaning behind what is just observable through the eye. I really enjoyed looking at political cartoons as I was able to learn about different ways of creating meaning through the interaction of visual and lexical elements. For instance, I learned that every small piece of detail needs to be considered when analyzing a political cartoon such as color, objects, and even facial expressions. The use of symbolic elements that could be incorporated within the cartoon itself, which may give the context of when this cartoon is taking place, possibly power imbalance, or even the different perspectives that are needed to be considered. Furthermore, the caption or labels within the cartoon may bring out symbolic aspects, ironic aspects, double meanings, or even new perspectives within the cartoon itself, hence consequencing in a deeper meaning.

How are ideas communicated through the interaction of visual and lexical elements?

Ideas can be communicated in various ways as the smallest pieces of detail can also communicate deeper meanings and perspectives, for instance through the use of colors, objects, facial expressions, placement of people/objects, and the angle of the scene may convey various ideas that may result in new aspects or perspectives of viewing the cartoon. Through the use of symbols within the cartoon, this may bring out a deeper insight into the cartoon. For example, the glass shards that are directed towards the woman in my political cartoon conveys the idea of how the labels on the glass shards are words the way society tends to view woman depending on the actions that they are doing, this portrays how society tends to normalize the issue of men having possession over women that they are blinded by the issues taking place from the men’s side and rather focusing on the women’s point of this situation. Another example of the use of color is that the color of the clothes that the girl is wearing are the colors of the telegram app, hence this may convey how the app has control over the woman now as their personal information is all able to be revealed through the app. Since the dress is what people see, this may also portray how society views women not as people but as objects that are vulnerable and able to take possession over.

What are the similarities and differences between an opinion article and a political cartoon?

The main difference is that political cartoons aim to make it familiar to the audience through visuals and so they can encapsulate the idea quickly, whereas an opinion article is written through words and may take longer for their idea to be conveyed to the audience. In political cartoons background information is needed before analyzing it, however, in opinion articles, they tend to summarize the situation that is taking place. They also use different techniques in order to get their idea across, for instance, a cartoonist portrays their idea through visual elements such as color, objects, facial expression..etc. Whereas authors convey their idea through literary aspects such as word choice and description. Despite their differences, they also have their own similarities as they both hold very strong opinions as an opinion article is obviously written through one perspective, in addition, political cartoons hold a perspective that the cartoonist may be leaning more towards. Both are also based on a controversial or debatable event that takes place in real life. In conclusion, both the opinion article and political cartoon hold a deeper meaning that is conveyed through the audience.