Gender Cartoon Precis

Liza Donnelly

1. Political Cartoon (Sofia)

https://www.shethepeople.tv/top-videos/using-cartoons-to-challenge-gender-perceptions-meet-liza-donnelly/

Observation Notes

What choices do you see? What do you notice? Analysis

(symbolism, exaggeration/distortion, (What might it mean? How does it contribute to
stereotypes, irony, analogy, captions/labeling) the purpose of the artist? Is it effective?)

I notice that the mom has dressed the child really The daughter being dressed in pink and being
femininity by making her wear a bow and pink. shown a lipstick and purse shows how the older
The mom also dresses herself in a feminine way generations push these stereotypes on women.
by wearing a dress with jewelry and heels. The Girls aren’t born acting in this social sphere, they
words that the mother is telling the daughter are are pushed into it by their parents and peers. The
also very “feminine” and stereotypical. artist is trying to show how girls are pressured
into acting more “feminine” even from a young
age and they show this by having an adult
woman try to influence an infant. This is effective
because I think that a lot of women can relate to
being raised like this.

Considering the observations above, what is the message? What is the purpose of the cartoon?

The message of the cartoon is that young girls are coerced into acting certain ways by the older
generations around them. The purpose of the cartoon is to show how we should instead allow girls to
have more freedom to discover who they want to be.

Write a Rhetorical Precis

(follow instructions on the canvas page)

In her political cartoon, “Blank Slate” (2005), Liza Donne, a female cartoonist, exhibits how young
girls are coerced into acting certain ways by the older generations around them. Donne combines
symbolism, stereotypes, imagery, and labeling in order to assert her claim. Donne wants to show
how society should allow girls to have more freedom to discover who they want to be, rather than
pushing them into certain social spheres. Her comic tone humors audiences–mostly women–while
also helping them relate to the actual material of the cartoon.

2. Political Cartoon (Abigail)

https://sayfty.com/liza-donnelly/

Observation Notes

What choices do you see? What do you notice? Analysis

(symbolism, exaggeration/distortion, (What might it mean? How does it contribute to
stereotypes, irony, analogy, captions/labeling) the purpose of the artist? Is it effective?)

The author uses stereotypes of color to show the It contributes to show that the man is basing his
sexism in the workplace. The man is wearing blue thoughts on the women by stereotypes and only
and the woman is wearing pink. The image of the views her as a child and less than him. THis also
little girl is also wearing pink and a bow. continues to play into the color stereotypes as
she is wearing the color associated with women
which will have the man view her as that
stereotype.

Considering the observations above, what is the message? What is the purpose of the cartoon?

I think the author is trying to show that male employers are not respecting women no matter what
criteria they fill and how they do their job. They have this sexist view on women being not eligible for
jobs that they clearly deserve just because they are women.

Write a Rhetorical Precis

(follow instructions on the canvas page)

In her political cartoon about women applying for jobs, Liza Donnelly, a female cartoonist, exemplifies how
women are being viewed as, when applying for a job, in the eyes of men. She uses stereotypes, symbolism and
imagery in order to highlight the exact message she is trying to convey. Donnelly wants to show that male
employers are not respecting women no matter what criteria they fill and how they do their job. They have this
sexist view on women being not eligible for jobs that they clearly deserve just because they are women. Her
comic tone is humorous to the audience, mostly women, while also shedding commentary on a common
struggle in the workplace.

3. Political Cartoon (Maria)

https://www.shethepeople.tv/top-videos/using-cartoons-to-challenge-gender-perceptions-meet-liza-donnelly/
 Observation Notes

What choices do you see? What do you notice? Analysis

(symbolism, exaggeration/distortion, (What might it mean? How does it contribute to
stereotypes, irony, analogy, captions/labeling) the purpose of the artist? Is it effective?)

A choice that I notice is that the book of rules is The big pink book of rules is meant to show how
pink. Pink tends to symbolize femininity. The society expects women specifically to follow
book is labeled with “rules” in large letters and certain standards. It is an effective symbol
lists the contents of the book including “you because it clearly sends a message just by a
namie it” to imply that there are rules pertaining woman being shown reading it along with its
to everything for women. The book is also a color scheme. The author's purpose is to make
comically large size. A white blonde woman is people laugh but also to reevaluate the standards
holding a book which implies that this is purely of our world and why we keep perpetuating them
commenting on gender issues rather than gender when they seem crazy in this context.
issues in conjugation with race issues.

Considering the observations above, what is the message? What is the purpose of the cartoon?

The message of this political cartoon is that women are expected to follow a specific set of rules
enforced by society. The purpose of the cartoon is to make people evaluate why this is the case and
consider why they may be forcing these seemingly meaningless rules on the women around them or
how it impacts them if they are a women

Write a Rhetorical Precis

(follow instructions on the canvas page)

In her political cartoon on the “Social Rulebook'' , Liza Donnely, a female cartoonist, comments on
how society has a different set of rules for women. Donnely develops and supports this idea using
color symbolism with the book being pink which is commonly associated with femininity as well as
the word choice she uses on the title itself. Donnely wants her comics to invoke laughter but also to
inspire people to question why it’s funny and why people apply these standards to women. The tone
of the comic is one of humor which makes it less intimidating for people to question these standards
and further explore the idea portrayed in the comic.

4. Political Cartoon (Naoto)

https://www.shethepeople.tv/top-videos/using-cartoons-to-challenge-gender-perceptions-meet-liza-donnelly/

Observation Notes

What choices do you see? What do you notice? Analysis

(symbolism, exaggeration/distortion, (What might it mean? How does it contribute to
stereotypes, irony, analogy, captions/labeling) the purpose of the artist? Is it effective?)

There are 6 men and 0ne woman. It looks like a The fact that there is one woman shows that not
business meeting. There is some diversity among many women are in that kind of position or
the men. The woman is thinking that she is setting. But there are diverse men which shows
supposed to be there. They all seem comfortable. that the businesses are getting more diverse.
They are sitting around a round, maybe circular They all seem comfortable and the woman is
table. think that she belongs which shows that they are
accepting and things are getting better and that
women are just as qualified and able as men to
have what seems like a leadership position in a
company. The fact that she is thinking that she
actually does belong shows that she probably
thought she didn’t. This means that maybe a lot
of women are scared or apprehensive at first to
move up but that shouldn’t be because they
deserve it and maybe that men up top are also
more welcoming than they expect? With them
sitting around a round table, that means there
isn’t really a head of the table which could signify
they are all on pretty equal standings with each
 other.

Considering the observations above, what is the message? What is the purpose of the cartoon?

The message is that women deserve to have leadership positions and are just as qualified as men.
The purpose is to promote more women having higher positions within companies.

Write a Rhetorical Precis

(follow instructions on the canvas page)

In her political cartoon for Forbes Woman, the female cartoonist Liza Donnelly asserts that
women should have leadership positions in businesses. Donnelly uses symbols and words to
support her argument. Donnelly wants more women to have leadership jobs and to be accepted
by their fellow workers as equal. Her tone isn’t over critical of men but also asserts her position so
her cartoon can gain support from women who are the main audience but it can also be accepted
easily by men.

5. Political Cartoon (Priyanka)

https://lizadon
nelly.com/archives/bridesmaids

Observation Notes

What choices do you see? What do you notice? Analysis

(symbolism, exaggeration/distortion, (What might it mean? How does it contribute to
stereotypes, irony, analogy, captions/labeling) the purpose of the artist? Is it effective?)

The dog is having a drink, using its paws to hold The dog’s seat at the bar places it in an equal
it. The paintings in the back are nondescript and setting as the woman. This implies that a woman
there is a generic skyline in the back. There is no is equal in status as a male dog, both required to
visible bartender, which means they either “heel,” which in the context of the woman, could
served themselves or the bartender served them mean either wearing high heels or obeying a
and left. Either way they have no company. man’s commands. The absence of a bartender
There is very little distortion in the picture. The recalls the fact that women and dogs both eat
dog has a tuft of hair on his head that looks alone a lot of the time, women because they are
similar to a man’s flat top, giving the impression busy serving while the rest of the family eats
that the dog is a male dog. (think “A Christmas Story”) and dogs because,
well, they’re dogs. This is effective because of its
absurdity—a woman complaining to a dog about
their mutual issues is not something that should
be happening in real life.

Considering the observations above, what is the message? What is the purpose of the cartoon?

The purpose of the cartoon is to send the message that women are not in a good position right now,
as it is comparable to that of a dog. The absurdity of the comparison hits the message home.

Write a Rhetorical Precis

(follow instructions on the canvas page)

Celebrated cartoonist Liza Donnelly’s 2016 cartoon “Drink with Dogs” illustrates the absurdity of
women’s almost dog-like status. The use of caption and depiction of a farcical situation both work
towards communicating Donnelly’s message. This message equivocates women with dogs, pointing
out how they have similar issues. The sarcastic, satirical tone provides food for thought to an
audience who has likely never thought of this comparison before.

6. Political Cartoon- Swayam

https://lizadonnelly.com/archives/drawing-bodies/thinking-of-losing-your-self-esteem

Observation Notes

What choices do you see? What do you notice? Analysis

(symbolism, exaggeration/distortion, (What might it mean? How does it contribute to
stereotypes, irony, analogy, captions/labeling) the purpose of the artist? Is it effective?)

It can be seen through the cartoon that the The purpose of the random spread of clothes
family is well to do as they are in a larger home. could be paired with the fact that they are in a
On the floor there is a spread of random clothes; sense dressing themselves up. The random
these clothes include a bunch of pants and shirts clothes show a societal pressure that the girls feel
for the dolls that they are holding. The dolls kind to dress the dolls in certain clothes. The house
of like their owners. The woman with more of a may represent more of a background or it could
curly short haircut we see with a short cut doll represent that the girls are placed into a more
and the woman with longer straight hair owning home setting.
a doll with longer straight hair.

Considering the observations above, what is the message? What is the purpose of the cartoon?

The obvious message of the cartoon is that a girl should not fall subject to the societal pressures that
she feels are being placed on her.
 Write a Rhetorical Precis
(follow instructions on the canvas page)

In her political cartoon, “Thinking of losing their self esteem” (2011), Liza Donnely
states that sexual biases takes place at an early age. Donnely supports her argument by
showing a slew of clothes placed on the ground and showing how the dolls represent
their users. Donnely’s purpose is to show that this sexual biases is implanted into
children at a very early age. Donnely uses a representation of this biases to prove her
point.

7. Political Cartoon (Lauren)

https://www.shethepeople.tv/top-videos/using-cartoons-to-challenge-gender-perceptions-meet-liza-donnelly/

Observation Notes

What choices do you see? What do you notice? Analysis

(symbolism, exaggeration/distortion, (What might it mean? How does it contribute to
stereotypes, irony, analogy, captions/labeling) the purpose of the artist? Is it effective?)

- Three girls of different races are watching - The artist included three girls of different
TV races to include diversity to show how
- Everything is minimally colored; the girls women of all backgrounds are under the
have the most variety of colors (brighter same stereotype, and it is effective.
 colors) - The artist chose to use brighter colors for
- One of the girls is saying "Why do I get the females in order to make them stand
this vague motion that something is out; they are supposed to be the main
always expected of us?" focus of the cartoon. It helps draw
- The girls are relaxing and not doing much attention to the point of the cartoon,
- Stereotype that women are always which is to show how women are always
expected of something expected of something. It is effective.
- Dramatic Irony: the girls don't really - The girl's dialogue helps to introduce the
know/realize that they are always point of the cartoon: the stereotype that
expected to do certain things women always are expected to do certain
things and act certain ways by society. It
is very effective as it introduces the point
of the cartoon.
- The artist shows the girls relaxing and
not doing much to emphasize the
dramatic irony of how the females don't
really realize/know that they are
expected to do something, but readers
know that this stereotype exists. It helps
reinforce the author's purpose of how
society has always expected things of
women and continues to do so. The
dramatic irony is somewhat effective in
regards to the artist's purpose, but the
stereotype used is more effective than
the dramatic irony.

Considering the observations above, what is the message? What is the purpose of the cartoon?

The artist's message is that society expects women to behave according to stereotypes set
throughout history even if the women themselves don't realize that they are conforming to society's
standards. The purpose of the cartoon is to bring attention to how females are under certain
expectations, and we, as a society, need to change our expectations of women. We shouldn't expect
certain things from women just because they are female. Women should be able to do what they
want to do without being expected to do certain things by society.

Write a Rhetorical Precis

(follow instructions on the canvas page)

In her political cartoon, Liza Donnelly, a writer and award-winning cartoonist, asserts that women are
always expected of something by society according to female stereotypes. Donnelly uses colors,
stereotypes, dramatic irony, and dialogue to illustrate how all women of a variety of backgrounds are
expected of something, reinforcing her purpose of the cartoon. Donnelly wants readers to
acknowledge that women are under the expectations of society and draw attention to the issue since
she wants this newfound awareness to help fix the issue of women being expected of certain things
for their whole life. Her informal, humorous tone helps bring attention to the serious issue of women
always being under society's expectations in order to bring change to society and its expectations
while also bringing humor to the issue.
 8. Political Cartoon (Aparnaa)

https://www.cartooningforpeace.org/en/dessinateurs/donnelly

Observation Notes

What choices do you see? What do you notice? Analysis

(symbolism, exaggeration/distortion, (What might it mean? How does it contribute to
stereotypes, irony, analogy, captions/labeling) the purpose of the artist? Is it effective?)

I notice that the table is occupied only by men. The cartoon depicts a scenario where a group of
All of them are wearing suits, indicating a men is holding a meeting. Since there are no
professional environment. In the background, women at the table, one of them dresses up as a
there are paintings or pictures of what could be woman to provide the feminist view on the
buildings. The characters are all drawn in similar situation. This shows how the men at the table
styles and have similar expressions. None of view women to be and their status. Women are
them are smiling. Based on their hair, they also not shown in this cartoon to show the
seem older (middle-aged men). There are no inequalities they face at work. Instead of allowing
colors used in the cartoon. The caption is a women to reach that position, they just speak for
statement made by one of the men at the table. them in a very stereotypical manner.
It talks about how one of them, Harold, has to
provide the feminist viewpoint of the topic they
are discussing. In order to do this, he wears a
skirt, heels, and earrings to represent a woman.
This depicts the stereotype of how a woman
dresses and acts.

Considering the observations above, what is the message? What is the purpose of the cartoon?
The purpose of this cartoon is to show the inequalities women face at their workplace. They are not
allowed to reach a position where they can voice their viewpoints on situations. Instead, they are
looked down upon by the men they work with. To make up for the absence of women, men express
their version of the feminine viewpoint, which is mainly just stereotypes of females that they believe
in.

Write a Rhetorical Precis

(follow instructions on the canvas page)

Liza Donelly, in her gender cartoon, asserts that women aren’t provided with the same opportunities
as men in their workplace. Donelly combines the use of a caption, stereotypes, clothing, and lack of
color to enhance her claim. Donelly uses this cartoon to bring attention to how women are
overlooked by men and are viewed in a very stereotypical manner. Her humorous yet informative
tone gives the audience a chance to realize how prominent this topic is since they probably never
noticed the depth of the situation before.