My project will examine the past, present, and future of political cartoons in news media. The political cartoon is a time honored staple of the editorial page. We award Pulitzer Prizes for outstanding political cartoons in the United States. I will consider this topic within the framework of “Uses and Gratifications” theory.
I believe that a historical review of political cartoons will reveal that consumers have been receiving primarily surveilance gratification from these pieces prior to the arrival of the World Wide Web and thereafter, an increasing amount of diversion, personal relationship, and personal identity gratification. Based on my examination of this assumption, I will offer some predictions about what the future holds for political cartoons.
Annotated Bibliography:
Curtis Jr, L.P. (2001). Drawing conclusions: a cartoon history of Anglo-Irish relations, 1798-1998. Review of Victorian Studies, 43(3), 520-522. Retrieved 10 October 2007 from Research Library database. (Document ID: 78365053).
Abstract: This document provides a discussion of political cartoons from a historical perspective and the period considered presents these cartoons from the Victorian era through the early days of the World Wide Web. This document will provide a view of political cartoons that predates the influence of digital productions, such as Jibjab or YouTube videos.
Dewey, D. (2007). The art of ill will. New York, NY: NYU Press.
Abstract: This book examines the history of the political cartoon in the United States from the 18th century through the current day. This will provide a historical perspective of political cartoons that parallels the Curtis article but also provides an account that brings us nearer to our present time.
Trudeau, G. B. (2007). Doonesbury.com’s the sandbox: Dispatches from troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing.
Abstract: This book is a compilation of political cartoons that were developed based upon internet blog posts coming from troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mello, W. P. (2007). Political cartooning in the 21st Century: A changing and dynamic future. Critical Studies in Media Communication, 24(1), 78-80. Retrieved October 20, 2007, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 1249509581).
Abstract: With the conglomeration of media ownership, there are fewer and fewer outlets for political cartoonists to showcase their art and talent. Cartoonists, then, must seek alternative outlets for distributing their work, and the new frontier for political and editorial cartoon is the Internet, which provides an inexpensive outlet.
I didn’t realize the political cartoon was such a hot topic! Maybe it’s not as far down the long tail as I thought
This is a really cool topic. One perspective that may be interesting to investigate, and I think can tie in with the past, present and future theme, is if there has been a change in audience. Has the demographic of the political cartoon reader changed? If so, what sort of influences have they brought to the evolution of this craft? Who do you anticipate will carry on the future of the political cartoon? For some reason, when I think of your topic, the concept of the radio’s “ham” comes to mind…not sure if this has any relation at all…
One question to consider with predictions for the future: is UGC affecting the professional/political cartoonist in the same way it is affecting journalists/press?
Hi Mark,
Just heard an interview with Trudeau and thought of your project. He was discussing his decision to send his first character (D.B.?) to war where he lost his leg in combat. He also lost his helmet! What a blow to our favorite quarterback.
Anyway, in looking at your research, I was struck by the idea of political cartoonists using blogs to get their finger on the pulse of America, and then creating in response to that.
In light of the fact that I was accused of being addicted to meth following one of my recent blogs (a response I don’t believe is in any way indicative of the general public), I wonder how reliance on Internet input — blogs, emails, or any of the other relatively anonymous ways we communicate — will impact the political cartoons of tomorrow? Kind of reminds me of how Hollywood now makes a movie with three endings and then screens each one to figure out what will be most marketable.
Is the cartoonist’s job to comment, be highly marketable or both? And how does current technology affect those goals? May be completely out-of-scope, but a question I am pondering, none-the-less.
Anxious to follow your progress!
Bonnie