Political cartoons are some of the most common methods used by columnists and writers to express their opinions, comments and criticisms regarding the current state of matters in the political arena of nations. Such satirical drawings are designed in a way in which when well interpreted make the audience understand the central theme of the post. “The Security Blanket” was published in 2014, bearing the name of Eugene Payne as the designer. Payne employs irony, imagery and symbolism to show that the right that permits people to bear arms in the US is so confusing.
The irony is explicitly shown by the words “The right to bear arms” which are in quotes to suggest that the manner in which firearms are registered in the US is not right. According to the US second amendment, people have right to bear arms. In the cartoon, there is a tag which is on a gun with the word “assault” struck out. In essence, this means that some people might be hiding behind the right to bear ammunition to commit their flagitious plans against innocent citizens. In addition, the word “hunting” is used in place of assault implying that the creator is more inclined to the side of control than of ownership of weapons, and this is his opinion. The irony also extends to the way National Rifle Association is placed in the sketch such that instead of controlling firearms, it favours ownership.
Vivid description in form of imagery also plays a critical role in the political cartoon where the creator forms an image out of the situation on the ground. For instance, the person on the cartoon seems to be sucking a thumb showing that he is childish and holding a blanket which is indicative of an association which is too naïve to handle the task of controlling firearm ownership. The drawing effectively represents issues faced by citizens in the US using the activities depicted in it. With this kind of a description, the reader gets to understand that the cartoonist is trying to address the issue of ownership of firearms in the US as one which is problematic.
Another important element of political cartoons which is apparent to the reader is symbolism. The blanket the individual is holding is symbolic of the bill of rights which grants a citizen in the US the opportunity to own a firearm for the protection of oneself and the family. A blanket is an important object which is used in protecting individuals against cold. Similarly, the one on the cartoon can be interpreted as one which shields people from attacks by sadists, whose intent is to destroy property, stealing or killing. Instead of running to the rescue of the victims or those who are prone to rifle-related crimes, they seem to be in support of ownership. As a result, the weak find no hope or peace as represented by the dark colour used.
In conclusion, there is no better way of expressing views by writers in newspapers than the use of cartoons, particularly when the content is political. The ability to bring various aspects of cartoons including, but not limited to, imagery, irony and symbolism, give columnists and self-opinionated individuals an upper hand when it comes to the number of readers who like their contents. Thus, Eugene Payne’s “The Security Blanket” is an example of an effective political cartoon expressing Payne’s viewpoint.
Work Cited
Francisco Rojas Gov. "The Security Blanket Political Cartoon". Francisco Rojas Gov, 2014, https://franciscorojasgoverment.wordpress.com/2014/10/04/the-security-blanket-political-cartoon/. Accessed 3 Apr 2018.
