Cartoonist’s-Eye View

Political cartoons are not so much rapier thrusts (which they are often called) as they are missiles, which, although quite small, carry at least three explosive warheads. First, caricature—the humorously or maliciously distorted representation of politicians; second, the actual political comment, criticism, or stance communicated in the drawing; and third, the vehicle or image chosen to convey the political point. When brought together, the effect—at its best—is formidable. The apparent joke can contain a reverberating, subversive power.

How does a caricature become established? When a new political figure takes his or her place on the stage, the cartoonists first of all carefully produce fairly academically accurate likenesses of the newcomer. Gradually, certain features become established as standing for the individual. Mrs. Thatcher’s bouffant hair and pointy nose, for instance, or Mr. Heath’s wide smile. The fact that when you meet them you notice that Mr. Heath’s mouth is rather small and pursed, or that Mrs. Thatcher’s hair is no longer all fluffed out, is neither here nor there. They have been reinvented by the cartoonist and are perfectly recognizable in their transmogrified form.

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Nicholas Garland

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Political cartoons are not so much rapier thrusts (which they are often called) as they are missiles, which, although quite small, carry at least three explosive warheads. First, caricature—the humorously or maliciously distorted representation of politicians; second, the actual political comment, criticism, or stance communicated in the drawing; and third, the vehicle or image chosen to convey the political point. When brought together, the effect—at its best—is formidable. The apparent joke can contain a reverberating, subversive power.

How does a caricature become established? When a new political figure takes his or her place on the stage, the cartoonists first of all carefully produce fairly academically accurate likenesses of the newcomer. Gradually, certain features become established as standing for the individual. Mrs. Thatcher’s bouffant hair and pointy nose, for instance, or Mr. Heath’s wide smile. The fact that when you meet them you notice that Mr. Heath’s mouth is rather small and pursed, or that Mrs. Thatcher’s hair is no longer all fluffed out, is neither here nor there. They have been reinvented by the cartoonist and are perfectly recognizable in their transmogrified form.