history works | Tutorials | Editorial Cartoon Tutorial

• Caricature - Depicting a particular person with distorted or exaggerated physical characteristics for the purpose of satire or ridicule.
• Comic strip - Sequential panels with continuing characters that tell an on-going narrative. Most comic strips are not considered editorial cartoons, although there are some exceptions.
• Editorial cartoon - A signed drawing (usually a single panel) that expresses the opinion of its creator about a current event. In newspapers and many nineteenth century magazines, editorial cartoons serve the same function as a text editorial: to encourage readers to think about current events as part of the publication's democratic mission to inform citizens.
• Gag cartoon - A cartoon (usually a single panel) created for the primary purpose of entertainment. It differs from an editorial cartoon in that it seeks to amuse or make a joke rather than present an opinion about current events.
• Original - The artwork created by the cartoonist that was reproduced for publication.
• Panel - A single drawing within a frame.
• Stereotype - An oversimplified image meant to represent the typical individual of a group.

Researching Editorial Cartoons


Libraries and archives often have collections of historic newspapers or magazines that include editorial cartoons. Some may also have collections of original cartoons or clipping files of cartoons by local editorial cartoonists. Many editorial cartoons have also been compiled and published in book form. These books may feature work from one particular artist or from a variety of artists about a specific subject or from a certain time period. Always check the policies and procedures of the institution in advance to be sure you can gain access to the material you need. It's also a good idea to let them know when you will be coming and what you are looking for. Remember the following when researching political cartoons at libraries or archives:

• Locate a book, library or archive that has editorial cartoons pertaining to your topic. Newspapers and magazines may be bound or may be available on microfilm or microfiche.
• Locate the item you want by using the database or finding aid of the library or archive. Take the call number to the clerk who will retrieve it for you.
• Skim through the item to find a cartoon that pertains to the topic you are researching. Evaluate the cartoon to be sure it is relevant to your topic.
• If possible, make a photocopy of the image and record the name of the institution that houses it and the collection or call number.
• Document as much information as you can about the cartoon, the cartoonist, and the publication. Note the name, place and date of the publication in which the cartoon originally appeared, as well as the name of the cartoonist. Books often include biographical information about the cartoonist.
• After you have finished documenting and copying the cartoon, return it to the clerk in the same condition in which you received it.

Editorial cartoons can also be found on the internet. Here are some helpful websites:

• Cagle's Professional Cartoonists Index
• Links to U.S. newspapers' websites
• American Political Prints 1776-1876 from the Library of Congress
• Presidential Election Cartoons 1860-1912
• Herblock editorial cartoons from the Library of Congress collection
• OSU's Cartoon Research Library
• Association of American Editorial Cartoonists
Syndicates:
• Copley
• Creators
• King Features
• United Media
• Universal Press Syndicate
• Tribune Media Services
• Washington Post Writers Group

Interpreting Editorial Cartoons


Historical editorial cartoons can be difficult to understand, especially if they refer to very specific aspects of a larger issue or event. It is always a good idea to find out as much background information about the topic as possible.There are many clues that can help you understand the meaning of an editorial cartoon:

• If possible, determine the date the cartoon was originally published. If you are looking at the cartoon in the original newspaper, the date should be located at the top of the page or on the front page. Magazines will show the date on the cover. Skim the news stories or editorials in the rest of the publication to learn about the issue or event that prompted the cartoon. Sometimes the cartoonist is responding to a specific incident that occurred one or more days earlier, so you may want to skim preceding issues.
• A book that gathers cartoons for publication will usually indicate the date and place the cartoon was originally published. It may also include supplementary text explaining the context of the cartoon.
• If you are looking at an original cartoon or a copy of the cartoon, check the signature or copyright. Sometimes the year of publication will be included. The original may also include valuable information in the margins or on the back, so be sure to turn it over. If you cannot determine the exact date of the cartoon, you may be able to make an educated guess based on the content or the people shown. For example, if Theodore Roosevelt is depicted as the President, then you can narrow down the date to the years he was in office. If the cartoon doesn't include specific references, but rather comments on a more general topic, (for example, bureaucracy or immigration) then look at the hair and fashion styles of the people in the cartoon. You can compare them with advertisements in old newspapers, magazines and catalogs to get an approximate date. The cartoon may also refer to literature, historical events or popular culture that might help determine its date.
• Once you know the approximate or exact date the cartoon was published, use supplementary sources such as history books or contemporary newspapers to learn about the issue or event being depicted.
• Cartoonists frequently use labels to indicate who people are or what an object represents. Use the internet or library resources to find biographical information about the people depicted. Searching the internet or indexes in relevant history books will reveal information about names, organizations, or phrases used in the cartoon.
• Editorial cartoons may contain stereotypes based on nationality, ethnicity, or religion that we find insensitive or offensive today. What does this tell us about the attitudes and fears of society at the time? It is important to understand the cartoon within the context of the era in which it was created.

Exercise:


Using one of the editorial cartoons at the upper right of this page, try to interpret its meaning. Consider the following:

• What is the main subject of the cartoon? Does it deal with international, national or local events?
• Who is depicted in the cartoon? Are they caricatures of specific people or are they representatives of a larger group? If you cannot identify the people, then look for labels, dress or physical characteristics that may indicate who they are, what position they held or their social group.
• Where are these people? Are there recognizable buildings or landmarks depicted in the cartoon? If not, can you identify the type of room, building or environment shown?
• What are these people doing and saying? How are they interacting?
• What symbols are present in the cartoon? What do these symbols represent? Does the cartoon refer to well-known literature, art, historical events, mythology or popular culture such as TV shows, movies or comics?
• What objects are shown in the cartoon that may tell you something about the issue? Are the objects labeled?
• Does the cartoon have a separate caption? If so, how does it relate to what is happening in the cartoon?
• What opinion is the cartoonist expressing about the main subject of the cartoon (that is, what is the cartoonist trying to say)?