Editorial cartoons play an important part in American culture. I remember when I was little my grandma would save the Sunday paper cartoons so I could read them. I think these small editorial cartoons effectively communicate things going on in society. Some of these editorial cartoons put a little humor or seriousness into the issues or topics going on in society. Also, they emphasize little things or dare to go where people don’t want to. They depict topics that are discussed in everyday life and things people dare no talk about or make fun of. Cartoons say what people are really thinking, all thoughts aside. Daryl Cagle is one of the well known professional cartoonists who focus on emphasizing things going on in society. For example, Cagle’s recent cartoons consist of the H1N1 swine flu virus and how people are reacting towards it. Also, there are cartoons on the recent balloon boy, Obama, Halloween, and more. I think these editorial cartoons help people better understand the issues going on. By adding a humorous twist to the topic it can help people better understand the issue and also gives people a look more on the bright side of things. Meaning that, people can take such a serious issue as the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, and see the humorous side of it. It gives people reassurance in that everything can be looked at in a humorous sort of view. One of the funny cartoons Cagle has come up with is about Halloween. It shows four little kids dressed up for Halloween with their little candy buckets and they are standing in front of a house that has a “for sale” sign on it. On the “for sale” sign it says foreclosed. As these kids are standing in front of this house they are all in a circle looking puzzled or upset. The caption under the cartoon is a voice of one of the kids and it says “Going door to door isn’t working. It’s time to reevaluate our business model.” It shows the topic of Halloween (coming up just next week) and the state of the economy. This is a perfect example of how cartoonists depict things we never really would have thought of. Like kids having to skip so many homes because of all the foreclosures in our neighborhoods. It’s funny yet shows the true reality we are facing. There are plenty more editorial cartoons on Daryl Cagle’s website that are very funny. If you want to check it out it is www.cagle.com .
I think cartoons help alleviate the stress or worry we have about current issues or topics going on. They help see the funny side of things. I think they are even funnier because when we read these cartoons we always think in our heads “very true” and let out a little laugh.
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Your post about cartoons was very insightful. I enjoyed reading it and completely agree with you when you state, "They depict topics that are discussed in everyday life and things people dare not talk about or make fun of. Cartoons say what people are really thinking, all thoughts aside." Cartoons reach down into the nitty gritty of what society is about and pokes fun of it. They make us laugh and bring to the forefront of our minds the issues at hand and then make us laugh at them. Cartoons are a great source of comedy at its best and also serves a purpose to release tension and help us relax. I like when you stated, "I think cartoons help alleviate the stress or worry we have about current issues or topics going on." The statements you made sum up what cartoons are all about and how they are ingrained in American culture.
ReplyDeleteThanks for providing Daryl Cagle's website I am going to visit it and enjoy his cartoons.
You are right when you wrote, “cartoons help alleviate the stress or worry we have about current issues or topics going on.” There are many times, I find myself taking a break from work, problems, or my hectic schedule, and look at several cartoons for a laugh. Some of them are very simple, as I do not even remember them after a couple hours. However, there are other cartoons that make me feel even more headache days after seeing them, specially the political ones. Talking about a funny one, I recall a cartoon I saw long ago regarding Pres. Clinot’s effort for healthcare reform. It was a picture of Pres. Clinton dressed as a doctor holding an enormous pill, almost half the size of a person. The patient said, “I can’t swallow that” and Pres. Clinton replied, “You don’t have to, it is a suppository”.
ReplyDeleteI also recognize a lot of current events in the comics, and find this interesting since most people associate the comics to childhood. Even when cartoons are not meant to be political, they can be thought provoking, like the Non Sequiter series. Thanks for the hint on website www.cagle.com, I will be sure to check it out.
Ashlin, your post was very interesting. I completely agree with you when you stated that “Also, they emphasize little things or dare to go where people don’t want to.” That is too true! I have seen so many political cartoons that I think never would have been published if they were in writing. Bottom line, cartoons expose what is really on our minds but by adding humor for the most part we are all ok with the sometimes controversial cartoons. I love that you used Cagle as an example. I think that he is an outstanding cartoonist that relates personal matters to a larger view such as trick or treating and the economy. Cartoonists have a special ability to shed light on some serious situations, however sometimes they become the main source of controversy.
ReplyDeleteI think you were spot on when you talked about the importance and purpose of editorial cartoons. Editorial cartoons are a great way to ease the tension about serious or negative topics affecting society. Sometimes editorial cartoons are a good way to bring conflicting groups together in a comedic way. I also think you were right that cartoons help people understand an issue better by giving it a comedic twist. Sometimes people like to avoid the darkness of a subject so they will ignore it. If an editorial cartoon can make it lighter and easier on the audience, the subject will receive the attention it requires. With the state of America today and the struggles EVERYONE is suffering, a little bright not on a negative subject can relieve some of the pressure (even if it’s for thirty seconds) and provide a comedic outlet for people’s life frustrations. I enjoyed reading this and the cartoon you described made me laugh een without actually seeing it.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading your blog, I agree that editorial cartoons play an important role in American culture. I also agree that "They depict topics that are discussed in everyday life and things people dare no talk about or make fun of. Cartoons say what people are really thinking, all thoughts aside." I too share this thought, we all have certain feelings or thoughts we are scared to share, and editorial cartoons often provide an outlet for thoughts we can't or don't have a means to share. I also like what you said with your conclusion that "cartoons help alleviate the stress or worry we have about current issues or topics going on. They help see the funny side of things. I think they are even funnier because when we read these cartoons we always think in our heads “very true” and let out a little laugh" I often feel this way when I read an editorial. Sometimes these editorials open our eyes to issues that we don't have any clue that are going on. Like I said I really enjoyed your blog and look forward to reading it again in the future.
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