week12 This week's edit LYU YANGCHENG 여양승
1. Summary:
Political cartoons are a form of expression that combines art and current affairs commentary. They often criticize the government, power structure or social phenomena through exaggeration, symbolism and satire. According to the entry, James Gillray, a British artist in the late 18th century, is regarded as the founder of modern political cartoons. His works not only target politicians, but also criticize the aristocracy and colonialism. By looking back at history, we can see how political cartoons have gradually transformed from the era of print to become an important cultural content in newspapers, magazines, and even today's social media.
2. Interesting point of view:
What fascinates me most is that political cartoons are humorous on the surface, but in fact they are very sharp criticisms. It is not as rational as academic papers, nor as neutral as news reports. Instead, it uses images to blend emotions and positions, producing a "soft but sharp" critical effect. Especially in societies where freedom of speech is not completely guaranteed, political cartoons often become the only way for people to publicly express their dissatisfaction. For example, the birth of Dianshizhai Pictorial in late Qing Dynasty China, or underground cartoons in the Middle East and Southeast Asia today, are concrete examples.
3. Question: Are political cartoons still effective today?
Has contemporary political cartoons been replaced by "memes" or short videos? Although visual language is evolving, has it also become shallower?
Is the critical effect of political cartoons limited under digital censorship and algorithmic control?
How can we teach students to “read political images” and understand the cultural context and critical purpose behind them?
Political cartoons have historically served as sharp and humorous critiques of power. Their role was especially prominent in societies where freedom of expression was limited. While this function still exists today, in the digital age, memes and short video content have taken on much of this role. Compared to traditional political cartoons, memes may lack artistic depth or historical continuity, but they have the advantage of spreading more widely and being more accessible—particularly to younger generations. However, this shift also raises clear concerns. Could the sharpness of critique be diminishing? Memes tend to focus mainly on humor or relatability, and the fast pace of online media often encourages superficial consumption.
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