Cartoons

An Introduction:
 What is a Cartoon?

▪ A cartoon is usually a
of a situation, well-
known personality or story.
▪ Cartoons are used to

.
▪ They often highlight a
 When Analysing a Cartoon:

: Are they stereotypes or caricatures?

: Where & when is the scene taking place?
: Is formal /informal register used? How are the
sentences structured?
used to portray emotions.
: Look at facial expressions and symbols or lines used to
portray movement/emotion.
: Is the aim to inform, educate or entertain?
 Stereotype:

▪ This is a fixed,
exaggerated and
preconceived description
of a specific type of
person, group or nation.
▪ For example, the Italians
are said to be emotional
and the British cold.
 Caricature:

▪ This is a drawing in
which a person or
action is shown with
exaggerated features.
▪ Features are
exaggerated to help
with identification or
to ridicule.
When Analysing a Cartoon:

Smile = happy
 Jagged speech The asterisk
bubble, bold print and indicates confusion
Words in question/exclamation or a thought
bold = loud marks indicate process.
shouting.

Smile = happy

Mom is hysterical: Blank expression Hands on

Smile = happy wide open eyes and emphasises head =
mouth. confusion despair!
 When Analysing a Cartoon:

▪ A cartoon can be
a .
is indicated by vertical,
curved and diagonal lines.
is indicated by
streaky lines or the action leaving
the frame.
are also changed for
emphasis.
 Frame:

▪ The “border” around

the picture, to create
an area in which the
action happens.
▪ It is not always
necessary to have a
frame, usually if one
is omitted it is to
show that the action
is not restricted.
 Commenting on Cartoons:

▪ All answers should be

to the cartoon.
▪ Pay careful attention to the
and refer to visible features.
▪ Remember that cartoons make use of puns, satire,
sarcasm and irony that
You will NEVER be awarded marks for saying
“facial expression” or “body language” without
discussing the details of these visual clues.
 Shows she has
moved away

Emotions?
Evidence?
Look at
expression
and font
Setting?
Teacher appears tired and
hopeless by:
lines under eyes
half-opened eyes
Issue – Ground
reformation process in
Zimbabwe

Teacher is caricatured by
her glasses and neat dress.

Learner’s innocence is
portrayed with wide open
eyes and cute hairstyle.
 Satire:

▪ Sharp wit, irony

or sarcasm used
to highlight,
expose or
ridicule human,
social or political
weaknesses.
Satire is topical
 Irony:

▪ Implies the
opposite of what is
said.
 Sarcasm:

▪ Similar to irony, when

one thing is said but
another meaning is
intended or
interrupted.
▪ Sarcasm is always
intentionally done.
 Pun:

▪ A play on words. They sound the same but have

a different meaning.
 PARODY
A parody is a work created to imitate, make fun of, or
comment on an original work - its subject, author, style, or
some other target - by means of satiric or ironic imitation.
2.1 What fairy tale is the father reading to his child? (1)
2.2 List three visual clues (not text) that show the father’s
anger. (3)
2.3 What is the child’s reaction to the father’s anger? (1)
2.4 Explain the reasoning for your answer for question 2.3. (2)
2.4. Why is the father actually so angry? (1)
2.5 Do you think that this is a serious cartoon?
Explain your answer. (2)