CARTOONS

Cartoons are a combination of a drawing and a text. Cartoons criticise people,

situations, incidents or issues. Cartoons use puns, irony, exaggeration,
understatements, ambiguity, euphemism, satire and sarcasm to create humour.
These are called “linguistic techniques”.

HOW TO INTERPRET A CARTOON

Pay attention to the following aspects when you analyse a cartoon as this will help you
understand the cartoon, its message, and the humour better.

• the caption
• speech bubbles and thought bubbles
• movement lines and sound lines
• symbols
• facial expressions
• people (gender, age, famous figures, caricatures, etc.)
• text size
• body language
• background/foreground
• year of publication
• cartoonist

Pay attention to the following linguistic techniques used to create humour:

• Puns
• Incongruity
You must be able to identify all these
• Understatement
linguistic techniques in cartoons, and
• Euphemism
you must be able to explain the
• Ambiguity
humour – even if you do not find the
• Hyperbole
• Satire cartoon funny.
• Irony

Ask yourself these questions:

• What’s the cartoon’s message? What is being criticised?
• Which emotions does the cartoon convey?
• What is the setting of the cartoon?
• Is there a target group?
 Linguistic techniques to create humour:
VERY IMPORTANT VERY IMPORTANT VERY IMPORTANT VERY IMPORTANT VERY IMPORTANT VERY
IMPORTANT
Puns
Words or phrases have double meanings that make them funny. A pun is a figure of speech that contains
a humorous play on the different meanings one word or phrase has.
 Incongruity
Things are out of place or out of context and that
makes the situation ridiculous. A strange / funny
situation is created because “things must not be that
way”.
 Understatement
When you see/experience something serious, and you make a remark to make the
situation seem much less serious and more “everyday”.

Something
Euphemism
that is disagreeable,
unpleasant, embarrassing or offensive is
described or said in a softer, milder, more
gentle, more vague or more indirect way.
 Hyperbole
Things are exaggerated to a
ridiculous point.

Satire
Sharp, witty, and biting humour that mocks a person/thing/issue in order to
communicate a serious message about a situation that we face in reality. Political
cartoons usually involve satire to make a serious point about the economy or the
behaviour of political parties or social issues.
 Irony
Irony occurs when what actually happens turns out
to be completely different / the opposite from what
we expected would happen or what was supposed to
happen.

Dramatic irony
Used in drama. The audience knows
something that the characters don’t
know.

It would be ironic if you get

hit/killed by an ambulance.

It would be ironic
if a fire station
burns down.

Fire
Station

It would be
ironic if a police
It would be ironic if a pilot
station gets
is afraid of heights.
robbed.
 Ambiguity
Ambiguity is when confusion is created when a piece
of writing has a double meaning or when it may be
interpreted in different ways. A sentence that is poorly
constructed may be ambiguous/confusing and that can
give the sentence a funny meaning.

Sarcasm
When you use words to say the opposite of what you actually wanted to say. Sarcasm is similar to irony,
but sarcasm is just meaner and is usually used to insult, show contempt or show irritation. Although
sarcasm can be harsh, it usually has a humorous side to it.
 Visual techniques
Speech and conventions Thought
bubble used when bubble
creating cartoons:
Movement and sound lines
Lines coming from objects / characters indicate movement or sound. The
thickness of the lines, or the shape of the lines, indicate speed, intensity,
loudness, etc.

Symbols: Symbols are used to indicate or represent feelings, moods or ideas.

Some symbols can be interpreted in more than one way (can have more than one
meaning). It depends on the context of the cartoon.

WhatsApp is filled with symbols that you use on a

daily basis to communicate feelings, moods or situations.

Text size
Large, bold and CAPITALISED text suggests loud sounds and loud voices.
Underlined text grabs attention and shows emphasis.

Alone-standing question marks and exclamation marks

show confusion and shock.
 Facial expressions and body language:

Facial expressions and body language indicate emotions.

How would you describe the facial expressions and body language of the following images? What
emotions do these images convey?

Example of a test question: Study the following

cartoon. What about the man’s facial expression
(or body language) tells us that he is angry? (or sad
/ upset / bored / annoyed / indifferent, etc.)
Your answer MAY NOT BE something like:
X because of how he looks.
X because the way his face / body is.
X his eyes have an angry look.
X his eyebrows.
 ACTIVITY ANALYSING CARTOONS

The following questions are example of questions asked in tests and exams.

Study the following cartoons and answer the questions that follow.

Question 1:

1.1 Refer to frame 1 and 2. What tells the reader that the learner is thinking? (1)

1.2 Refer to the learner’s facial expression in frame 2. How does the reader know
that this learner is not at all stressed about the exam?
(1)
1.3 Contrast the learner’s facial expressions in frame 2 and frame 4. Mention two
differences.
(2)
1.4 Identify and explain the linguistic technique that the cartoonist uses to create
humour.
(2)
1.5 What visual technique did the cartoonist use to show that the brain is jumping
out of the learner’s head?
(1)

Question 2:

2.1 Refer to the speech bubble. Quote the

words that the talking sock is
emphasising. Explain how you know
that these words are emphasise.
(3)
2.2 Where are the socks going? (2)

2.3 Identify and explain the linguistic

technique that the cartoonist used to
create humour.
(2)
2.4 Who is the cartoonist? (1)

2.5 Do you find the cartoon humorous?

Give a reason for your answer.
(1)
Question 3:

3.1 Which linguistic technique to create

humour did the cartoonist use in this
cartoon? Explain.
(2)

3.2 What is the message of this cartoon?

(2)

3.3 Contrast the earth holding the picture

with the earth in the picture.
(2)

3.4 Do you think the cartoonist succeeded

in bringing across his message?
Elaborate.
(1)
Question 4:
4.1 Which social network does the
cartoonist attempt to portray?
(2)
4.2 What is the bird on the left doing? (1)

4.3 What is the bird in the middle doing?

(2)
4.4 What emotion does the bird on the right
experience? How do you know this?
Refer to both body language and facial
expression.
(3)

4.5 Identify and explain the linguistic

technique that the cartoonist uses to
create humour.
(3)
4.6 What is the cartoon’s message? In your
Question 5:
opinion, did the cartoonist bring the
message across successfully? Give a
reason for your answer.
5.1 Identify the characters in the cartoon
on the left.
(4)
(2)
5.2 How do we know that the character on
the left is not concerned?
(2)

5.3 Identify and explain the linguistic

technique used to create humour.
(3)
Question 6:

6.1 Identify the caricature in the

cartoon on the right.
(2)
6.2 Write down the name of the
cartoonist.
(1)

6.3 What is the message that the

cartoonist tries to convey?

(2)
6.4 How do we know the person in
the cartoon has an indifferent
attitude towards the situation?
6.5 Identify and explain the linguistic technique that the cartoonist uses to create
humour.
(2)
(3)
6.6 What is the message that the cartoonist wants to communicate to the reader? In
your opinion, is this message conveyed successfully? Give a reason for your
answer.
(2)
6.7 Who is the intended target audience of the cartoon? (1)

Question 7:
7.1 Identify the animals in the cartoon on
the left.
(1)
7.2 What is the character on the right
doing? How do you know this?
(2)
7.3 Which emotion is the character on the
left experiencing? Give a reason for
(1)
your answer by referring to the facial
expression.

7.4 Identify and explain the linguistic

technique used to create humour.
(3)

7.5 Write down the name of the cartoonist.

(1)
 Study the following cartoons and answer the
questions that follow.

Question 1:

1.1 Refer to frame 1 and 2. What tells the reader that the learner is thinking?

There is a thought bubble above the learner’s head. ✓ (1)

1.2 Refer to the learner’s facial expression in frame 2. How does the reader know
that this learner is not at all stressed about the exam?

The learner has a smile on his face. ✓ OR His eyes are closed in a relax way. ✓ (1)

1.3 Contrast the learner’s facial expressions in frame 2 and frame 4. Mention two
differences.

In frame 2, the learner’s eyes are closed. In frame 4, the learner’s eyes are wide
open in shock and uncertainty. ✓ [Mention both frames for 1 mark.]
In frame 2, the learner has a relaxed smile on his face. In frame 4, the learner’s
mouth is small, like a dot almost. ✓ [Mention both fames for 1 mark.] (2)

1.4 Identify and explain the linguistic technique that the cartoonist uses to create
humour.

Incongruity. ✓ The cartoon is made silly by having the brain jump out of the
learner’s head, which is a ridiculous thing to happen. ✓ (2)

1.5 What visual technique did the cartoonist use to show that the brain is jumping
out of the learner’s head?

The cartoonist used curved emanata or curved movement lines. ✓ (1)

Question 2:

2.1 Refer to the speech bubble. Quote the

words that the talking sock is
emphasising. Explain how you know
that these words are emphasise.

“Buddy system”.✓ We know that the

sock is emphasising these words
because the words are in bold,✓ AND
written in italics,✓ AND written with all
capital letters.✓ (3)

2.2 Where are the socks going?

They are going on a field trip, ✓which

means they are going into the washing
machine to be washed. ✓ (2)

2.3 Identify and explain the linguistic technique that the cartoonist used to create
humour.

Incongruity:✓ The situation is strange / out of place / ridiculous because socks

are able to talk and go on a field trip, which is not something that can happen.✓ (2)

2.4 Who is the cartoonist?

Lonnie Easterling ✓ (1)

2.5 Do you find the cartoon humorous? Give a reason for your answer.

No. I do not find talking inanimate objects funny. I do not like cartoons that
have incongruity as a technique to create humour. ✓

Yes. It is funny how the socks must use a buddy system because usually socks
get lost in the drier. ✓ (1)

Question 3:

3.1 Which linguistic technique to create

humour did the cartoonist use in this
cartoon? Explain.

Satire: ✓ The writer uses the cartoon to

make a serious statement about the
condition in which the earth is and how
humans are destroying it.✓ (2)

3.2 What is the message of this cartoon?

Humans have destroyed earth ✓

through pollution and wars. ✓ (2)
 3.3 Contrast the earth holding the picture with the earth in the picture.

In the picture, earth is clean and healthy. ✓ The earth holding the picture is
bruised, sick and dirty. ✓ [BOTH sides must be mentioned for TWO marks. If only
one side is mentioned = ZERO.] (2)

3.4 Do you think the cartoonist succeeded in bringing across his message? Elaborate.

Yes. It is clear that the picture the earth is holding is a memory, and it is clear that
the current earth misses what he looked like in the picture, which shows how much
humans destroyed earth. ✓ (1)

Question 4:

4.1 Which social network does the

cartoonist attempt to portray?

Twitter. ✓ (1)

4.2 What is the bird on the left doing?

He is talking/chirping,✓ which is
tweeting according to the cartoon.✓ (2)

4.3 What is the bird in the middle doing?

He is saying what the bird on the left

said, ✓ which is “retweeting” according
to the cartoon. ✓ (2)

4.4 What emotion does the bird on the right experience? How do you know this?
Refer to both body language and facial expression.

The bird is annoyed or confused. ✓ We know this by his tilted head, ✓ his wings
on his hips and his one raised eyebrow. ✓ (3)

4.5 Identify and explain the linguistic technique that the cartoonist uses to create
humour.

Satire:✓ the cartoonist comments on the ridiculousness✓ of twitter.✓

OR
Incongruity:✓ birds cannot use twitter✓ or “retweet” what others said.✓ (3)

4.6 What is the cartoon’s message? In your opinion, did the cartoonist bring the
message across successfully? Give a reason for your answer.

The cartoonist tries to explain that twitter and retweeting is not only ridiculous,
but also difficult to understand. ✓

Yes, the message is brought across successfully. I cannot understand what the
bird in the middle is saying, which proves that twitter is a ridiculous and difficult
social media app to understand. ✓
OR
No, the message is not brough across successfully. I do not use twitter so I do
not understand what the joke is. I have no point of reference for this. ✓ (2)
Question 5:
5.1 Identify the characters in the cartoon
on the left.

It is a potato,✓ a tomato,✓ an onion✓

and an eggplant.✓ (4)

5.2 How do we know that the character on

the left is not concerned?

His eyes are half closed, showing that

he has a no-are attitude.✓

His hands are on his hips in an annoyed

or unconcerned way. ✓ (2)

5.3 Identify and explain the linguistic technique used to create humour.

Pun.✓ In the cartoon, the onion hurt (cut) himself and cries, and the other
vegetables say they are going to start crying✓ because, in real life, if an onion is
cut, everyone in the room cries. ✓ (3)

Question 6:

6.1 Identify the caricature in

the cartoon on the right.

Julius Malema ✓✓
[Julius or Malema only =
ZERO.] (2)

6.2 Write down the name of

the cartoonist.

Zapiro ✓ (1)

6.3 What is the message that the cartoonist tries to convey?

In all arguments and conversations, Julius Malema ✓ always plays the race card
where he blames a different race ✓ (usually white people) for what is wrong in the
country or situation. (2)

6.4 How do we know the person in the cartoon has an indifferent attitude towards the
situation?

He has a kind-of smile on his face ✓ and his eyes are half closed ✓ which portrays
his attitude as indifferent. (2)

6.5 Identify and explain the linguistic technique that the cartoonist uses to create
humour.

Satire. ✓ The cartoonist comments on a serious, political situation ✓ (which is

Julius Malema and his usually racist attitude) by joking around with the caricature
of Julius Malema giving the viewer to pick a card, which is a race card. ✓ (3)
6.6 What is the message that the cartoonist wants to communicate to the reader? In
your opinion, is this message conveyed successfully? Give a reason for your
answer.

The message that the cartoonist tries to convey is that Julius Malema makes racist
accusations. ✓

No, this message is not conveyed successfully because Julius Malema is not
always racist and the cartoonist does not consider the other times when he made
good, sound and fair arguments. The cartoonist is bias. ✓

Yes, this message is conveyed successfully because it is clear in the cartoon that
all Julius Malema’s arguments are racist, as they are in real life. ✓ (2)

6.7 Who is the intended target audience of the cartoon?

People who are interested in politics and follow politicians. ✓ (1)

Question 7:
7.1 Identify the animals in the cartoon on
the left.

They are dogs. ✓ (1)

7.2 What is the character on the right

doing? How do you know this?

He is drinking from the toilet. ✓ We

know this because there is water
dripping from his mouth and he is
leaning over the toilet bowl. ✓ (2)

7.3 Which emotion is the character on the

left experiencing? Give a reason for
your answer by referring to the facial
expression.

The character is annoyed. ✓ His

eyebrows are straight across his eyes.
Hs mouth is small and turned down. ✓ (1)

7.4 Identify and explain the linguistic technique used to create humour.

Irony.✓ The dog drinking from the bowl says that he is unsure how clean the
dog on the left’s mouth is,✓ but he himself is drinking from the toilet which
makes his mouth dirtier than the dog on the left’s mouth. ✓ (3)

7.5 Write down the name of the cartoonist.

GleNN (or Glenn) ✓ (1)