INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: CARTOON ANALYSIS Date: _______________________

“Punch” was a British weekly magazine of humour and satire* that was established in 1841. There were
humorous illustrations as well as articles in “Punch” and in 1843, the magazine coined the term “cartoon"
to refer to the comic (funny) drawings that appeared in its pages.
The cartoons in “Punch” were satirical, they used humour to expose the social and political problems of
the era of the Industrial Revolution. This began the tradition of having political cartoons in newspapers
and magazines.

Political cartoons tell us about events in the past, but they also tell us what people thought about those
events at the time. Historians use cartoons as primary evidence about events and attitudes from the past.

*Satire is when writers and cartoonists using humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and
criticise the foolishness and corruption of individuals, societies and governments.

This cartoon was published in “Punch”

on 3rd July 1858 at the height of ‘The
Great Stink’ in London when the Houses
of Parliament had to be closed for
several weeks due to the foul smell from
the Thames River. ‘The Great Stink’ was
caused by unusually warm weather and
the large amounts of raw sewage that
ran from the City of London into the
Thames. The cartoonist is warning that
the pollution of the river would lead to
the outbreak of diseases like diphtheria,
scrofula and cholera. The cartoon shows
that the health hazards caused by river
pollution had become a political issue in
Industrial Britain.
The caption of the Cartoon is:
Father Thames introducing his
Offspring to the Fair City of London.
The offspring (children) are labelled:
Diphtheria, Scrofula and Cholera.
Questions: (Complete in your exercise book.) Marks: [10]
1. What historical event or situation is being shown in the cartoon? (1)

2. What visual clue in the cartoon shows that this event took place during the Industrial Revolution?
(2)
3. Who or what represents the City of London in the cartoon? (1)

4. What visual and verbal clues has the cartoonist used to show that he thinks that the pollution of
the Thames poses a serious health hazard to the citizens of London? (3)

5. What is the cartoonist’s attitude to the situation shown in the cartoon? Justify your answer with
evidence from the cartoon. (3)

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NEW SKILL: HOW TO ANALYSE A CARTOON Date: _______________________

Political cartoons express opinions about public issues and public figures. In order to decipher and
interpret the cartoonist’s meaning and point of view you need to understand the basic techniques used
by cartoonists. You also need to have some knowledge about the historical period (past or present) in
which the cartoon was published. Cartoon analysis requires critical thinking skills.

Techniques used by Cartoonists:

Symbolism
Cartoonists use symbols to stand for political figures, countries and concepts.
Examples of Symbols used in cartoons:
• dove, olive branch, peace sign = peace
• vulture, skeleton, skull and crossbones, Grim Reaper = death
• heart, Cupid, Venus = love
• angel = goodness
• devil = evil, wickedness
• Uncle Sam, stars and stripes flag, bald eagle = USA
• Bear = Russia
• Dragon = China The Grim Reaper

Exaggeration and Distortion

Cartoonists often exaggerate or distort the physical characteristics of
people or things in order to make a point. When you study a cartoon, look
for any characteristics that that are unrealistic (facial features like teeth,
mouths, noses, eyebrows and ears are frequently overdone or distorted).
Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make through
the exaggeration or distortion. If a person is shown in an unflattering and
ugly way by the cartoonist that is usually a sign that the cartoonist is
critical of that person.
Find three features that have been exaggerated or distorted in this
depiction of Donald Trump and then explain what points the cartoonist
was making about Trump? Do you think the cartoonist supports Trump?

Analogy
An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. By comparing a
complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can persuade their readers to see it in a
different light. For example, a country that is going through a period of political or economic turmoil
(trouble) could be shown as a ship sailing through stormy seas. Cartoonists often create analogies by
using animals to represent people (like using a donkey to represent a stubborn person).

Captions and Labelling

Cartoonist usually provide captions for their cartoons; they also often label objects or people to make it
clear exactly what they stand for. This is very useful when the cartoon is an analogy.

Irony
Irony is the difference between the way things are and the way things should be, or the way things are
expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue and to criticise what they
see as wrong with a situation.
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STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO ANALYSING A CARTOON Date: _______________________

Use this acrostic to help you remember the steps to analysing a cartoon: ISMAR
1. Identify
With a pen/pencil label everything that you can possibly identify in the cartoon. Symbols or animals
may be used to depict people. You must try to work out who or what everything represents. Study
the date and caption, use any names given, try to identify any prominent (famous) figures.

2. Situation
You should now have worked out what situation (event or issue) the cartoonist is depicting in the
cartoon. Cartoonists usually depict situations/events/issues from the time period in which they live.

3. Meaning/Message
Cartoonists are communicating a message. Even cartoons that simply seem humorous (funny) have a
message. Interpreting a cartoon involves working out the meaning of the cartoon. You must work out
what the cartoonist is saying about the situation (event or issue) that is depicted in the cartoon.
Cartoonists use persuasive techniques to get their message across. They want to persuade the reader
agree with their message.

4. Attitude (Bias/Opinion)
Cartoons are seldom neutral. The cartoonist has his/her own opinions and point of view. Often a
cartoonist is motivated by strong feelings like anger, outrage or pride. This means we must be on the
lookout for bias in cartoons. The cartoonist’s attitude is how the cartoonist feels about the situation
or incident depicted in the cartoon. The cartoonist’s attitude is often apparent in the message of the
cartoon and in the persuasive techniques the cartoonist has used to promote that message. When
cartoonists distort and exaggerate the facial expressions and body sizes of political figures, they are
revealing how they feel about those figures. Look for clues to the cartoonist’s attitude (bias or
opinion) in whether they have portrayed the situation (event or issue) in a positive or negative way.

5. Reflection
Reflect on the cartoon using your historical knowledge of the time period when the cartoon was
published. If you are analysing a recently published cartoon you will have to draw on your knowledge
of current affairs. Your background knowledge will help you interpret the cartoon.

Cartoon Analysis Exercise: (Complete in your exercise book.) Marks: [15]

Find an interesting cartoon in the newspaper that deals with a current issue and interpret it using the
ISMAR method. If you can’t get a newspaper you can access current cartoons online or you can
choose one of the cartoons dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic that appear below.
Marks allocation:
Identify (5)
Situation (3)
Meaning/Message (3)
Attitude (Bias/Opinion) (2)
Reflection (2)
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COVID-19 CARTOON A:

COVID-19 CARTOON B:

Activity 5
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(4)
they treated their
(2)
(6)

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INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: CARTOON EXERCISES Date: _______________________
(Complete in your exercise book.)

INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION CARTOON A:

This cartoon by the cartoonist, John Leech, was published in Punch Magazine, in 1845.
The caption of the cartoon is: Cheap Clothing.

Question One: Refer to Cartoon A (above)

1.1 What message is the cartoonist communicating by showing the factory workers as skeletons? (3)

1.2 How has the cartoonist shown the factory owner? (Describe what you see.) (3)

1.3 What situation (issue) is being shown in the cartoon? (2)

1.4 How do you think the cartoonist felt about the situation in the cartoon? (What was the cartoonist’s
attitude to the situation?) (2)

[10]

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INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION CARTOON B: Date: _______________________

This cartoon by the cartoonist, Robert Jacob Hamerton, was published in Punch Magazine, in 1843.
The caption of the cartoon is: Capital and Labour (capital = wealth).
The cartoon was a response to a report on the conditions of child workers in the factories and mines that
was made public in 1842. The cartoon contrasts the suffering of the labouring poor with the wealth of
the upper class. A figure representing Hope (accompanied by Cupid) has been prevented by a locked
door from helping the poor.

Question Two: Refer to Cartoon B (above)

2.1 What visual clues has the cartoonist used to show that the members of the wealthy upper class lived lives of
luxury? Give visual evidence from Cartoon B. (3)

2.2 What visual clues has the cartoonist used to show that the members of the lower class in society lived lives of
poverty and misery? Give visual evidence from the Cartoon B. (3)

2.3 What does Cupid symbolise (or represent) in the cartoon? (1)

2.3 What do you think the cartoonist’s opinion (attitude) about the situation he is showing in the Cartoon B is?
Justify your answer by explaining the message of the cartoon. (3)
[10]
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