“But, I don’t get it, it’s not funny.” Analyzing Political Cartoons

SOL Connections: Reading 8.5a The student will read and analyze a variety of narrative and poetic forms. Explain the use of symbols and figurative language. VUS.6c The student will demonstrate knowledge of the major events during the first half of the nineteenth century by describing the cultural, economic, and political issues that divided the nation, including slavery, the abolitionist and women’s suffrage movements, and the role of the states in the Union. USII.8a The student will demonstrate knowledge of the key domestic issues during the second half of the twentieth century by examining the Civil Rights Movement and the changing role of women

ACTIVITY (complete this activity)

Looking backward / Laura E. Foster. 1912 http://memory.loc.gov/cgi- 1. Look at your cartoon. bin/query/r?ammem/awhbib:@field(NUMBE R+@band(ppmsca+02940)) 2. Choose one of the methods below for evaluating that cartoon. Follow the directions for that method.

Design Elements OR Persuasive Techniques

A. Complete the sheet “Elements of A. Read about the different persuasive Cartooning.” techniques used in political cartoons as described in the “Cartoon Analysis B. Circle and label on the cartoon Guide.” examples of the different elements of B. Circle and label where you think each cartooning as you read about them. of these techniques are used in the cartoon you chose. C. Answer the questions at the bottom of the “Cartoon Analysis Guide.”

REFLECTION (consider these questions) 3. How would you introduce the above activity to your students? What would you have them do after completing the cartoon analysis?

4. What do you think makes this lesson engaging for students? What drawbacks do you see to this lesson?

Inch by inch, , 1960 http://memory.loc.gov/cgi- 5. What would be an appropriate “learning goal” for this activity? bin/query/r?pp/cd:@field(NUMBER +@band(cph+3c33717)) Where can I find more cartoons like these?

Try, a great online activity: http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/political_cartoon/index.html

The has several exhibitions devoted to political cartoons.

From www.loc.gov, click on Exhibitions.

Scroll down and look for the following: 's Gift: Selections from the Herb Block Foundation Collection March 12 - June 28, 2003 Herblock's History: Political Cartoons from the Crash to the Millennium October 17, 2000 - February 17, 2001 Humor's Edge: Cartoons by Ann Telnaes June 3 - September 11, 2004 James Gillray, MONSTROUS CRAWS, at Monstrous Craws & Character Flaws: Masterpieces of Cartoon and a New Coalition Feast, King George III at the Library of Congress etching with watercolor, 1787 February 25 - July 6, 1998 http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/craws/c raws-exhibit.html Oliphant's Anthem: at the Library of Congress April 29 - August 15, 1998

Also, for links to the cartoons used in this activity, go to the AAMNVA website.

From www.aamnva.org, click on AAMNVA Workshop Series.

Choose Workshop 2

Scroll down and on the right will be links to all the cartoons in this activity.

Try clicking on the subject or format links on the bibliographic records for each cartoon. This may get you even more images.

When searching for political cartoons in American Memory. Try using the following terms:

“Allegorical print” “caricature” “lithograph” “etching”

From www.loc.gov, click on American Memory

American progress. Crofutt, George A, 1873 In the box in upper-left hand corner, type these http://memory.loc.gov/cgi- bin/query/r?ammem/awhbib:@field(NUMBER+@band( terms. Click on “Search” cph+3a04647)) Choose “gallery view.”