Final Political Cartoon Analysis (1) (1)

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<p>Final Writing Assignment</p><p>Political Cartoon Analysis</p><p>Introduction: Political cartoons are cartoons that relate to political decisions, events, and ideas. This type of document allows an artist to express his/her opinion about a political situation. Political cartoons have played an important part in the history of the United States.</p><p>Political cartoons have five elements: symbolism, exaggeration, labeling, analogy, and irony. The goal of a political cartoon is to send a clear message, using images that will be familiar to all people. The artist uses simple images that symbolize complex political concepts.</p><p>Directions: Make sure to complete all three parts of this template.</p><p>Part 1: Select ONE cartoon from the the Political Cartoon sheet. Use the template to analyze it. Your responses should be in complete sentences.</p><p>Write your responses in this column.</p><p>Symbolism: Objects are used to stand for larger concepts or ideas.</p><p>The nurse symbolizes healthcare workers in the United States. The hospital bed and the overall setting symbolize the U.S. healthcare system, indicating that the system itself is in a state of crisis or poor health. The intravenous drip and medical monitors surrounding the bed further symbolize the intensive care and constant attention the healthcare system requires.</p><p>Exaggeration: Cartoonists will overdo the physical characteristics of people or things in order to make a point.</p><p>The nurse's exaggerated exhaustion and worn-out appearance emphasize the extreme stress and fatigue experienced by healthcare workers. The bags under her eyes, disheveled hair, and slumped posture all amplify the sense of overwork and burnout. The size of the hospital bed and the overwhelming presence of medical equipment also exaggerate the idea of the healthcare system being overburdened.</p><p>Labeling: Objects or people are often labeled by cartoonists to make it clear exactly what they stand for.</p><p>The labels "Nurse" on the cap and gown clearly identify the subject as a healthcare worker. The label "U.S. Healthcare System" on the wall ensures that viewers understand the broader context of the critique. Additionally, medical equipment like the intravenous drip and monitors are labeled to clarify their connection to healthcare and treatment.</p><p>Analogy: Cartoonists will 'draw' a comparison between two unlike things.</p><p>The cartoon draws an analogy between the nurse's physical state and the state of the U.S. healthcare system. Just as the nurse appears to be overworked and in need of care, the healthcare system itself is depicted as being in a state of disrepair and needing attention. The nurse lying in a hospital bed intended for patients highlights the reversal of roles, suggesting that the caregivers now need care.</p><p>Irony: The difference between the way things are and the way things should be.</p><p>The irony in the cartoon lies in the fact that the person who is supposed to provide care (the nurse) is the one who is in the hospital bed, implying that the healthcare system, which is meant to care for people, is itself in a dire state and unable to function properly. This situation is further highlighted by the presence of medical equipment intended to heal, yet it surrounds a healthcare worker who symbolizes the failing system.</p><p>Part 2: Select an event discussed in Module 8, Module 9, OR research a more current political decision, event, and controversy. Draw a political cartoon for the item. (You may NOT copy a cartoon from another source. Such action will be considered plagiarism.)</p><p>Part 3: Use the cartoon analysis template to explain YOUR cartoon to the audience. Your responses should be in complete sentences.</p><p>Write your responses in this column.</p><p>Symbolism</p><p> Statue of Liberty: Traditionally a symbol of freedom and welcoming immigrants, it stands juxtaposed with the barbed-wire wall, indicating a shift in policies or attitudes toward immigration.</p><p> Barbed-Wire Wall: Represents barriers and obstacles, suggesting a closed or hostile stance on immigration.</p><p> Sign "Immigration Policies Closed": Symbolizes the current state of immigration policies being unwelcoming or restrictive.</p><p>Exaggeration</p><p> Expressions and Sizes: The exaggerated expressions of despair and frustration on the faces of the people in line emphasize the harsh impact of restrictive immigration policies. The large, imposing figure holding the "closed" sign contrasts with the smaller, desperate immigrants, highlighting power imbalances.</p><p> Suitcases: The exaggerated size and labeling of the suitcases with "closed" stickers enhance the message that there is no entry or hope for these individuals.</p><p>Labeling</p><p>"Immigration Policies Closed" Signs: Clear labels that directly convey the message of the image, ensuring the viewer understands the focus on restrictive immigration policies.</p><p>Analogy</p><p> Wall and Barbed Wire: The wall with barbed wire serves as an analogy for the difficult and often insurmountable obstacles faced by immigrants due to stringent policies.</p><p> Queue of People: The long line of waiting individuals analogizes the prolonged and often fruitless wait that many immigrants endure when trying to enter the country.</p><p>Irony</p><p> Statue of Liberty: Ironically standing tall as a beacon of hope and freedom while the actual policies depicted are restrictive and unwelcoming.</p><p> Closed Sign: The very notion of "immigration policies" being "closed" is ironic, as policies are meant to regulate and manage, not completely shut down, the process of immigration.</p>