A Riel Ugly Position
Political Cartoon Analysis
Name:
Political cartoons
have been around
for a long time.
They have been
printed in
Canada’s
newspapers since
before
Confederation.
Political cartoons
poke fun at
politicians, use
humour to make
statements about
important issues
and events. When
we look at such
cartoons from the
past, we get an
idea of what
people were
thinking about at
that time. To
understand
political cartoons,
we need to
interpret that
they are trying to
say.
Your job for this
assignment is to
analyze this famous cartoon by using the attached questions. Explain the meaning of
the cartoon, who and what issue is being portrayed in it? Once you have done your
analysis, you will use your newfound expertise and create your own version of this
political event.
Look to see if the cartoon has a title. If it does, what does it mean? Why did the
cartoonist spell real as R I E L? Why is it explained as an “Ugly Position”?
Describe the overall scene in the cartoon. What is the key issue and event?
Describe the setting. Where and when does the action take place?
Who are the people or characters in that are depicted in the cartoon? What are they
saying or doing? What does their mood appear to be?
Identify the keywords or symbols written on each of the horses. What do they
mean?
At whom or what is the cartoonist poking fun at?
What is the message in the cartoon? Is it expressed effectively? Why or why not?
What techniques has the cartoonist used (for example, labels or exaggeration of
physical features)? How has the cartoonist created humour?
Now it is your turn. On the paper provided you get to create your own political
cartoon about your view of Louis Riel. Do you believe that Louis Riel was a hero or a
villain? Use the knowledge you have gained from class to help you to decide and
help with your message. Your Cartoon must include the following components:
• A title, be creative!
• A setting or scene (what event or issue are you depicting, where and when
does your cartoon take place?)
• The characters or people (who are you drawing, are you exaggerating their
expressions?)
• Symbols (what symbols can you include to help your overall message?)
• Who or what are you making fun of? How do you plan on showing this?
• Message – (what is the overall message of your cartoon . . . . is it obvious?)
• As the cartoonist, did you use certain techniques, such as exaggeration or
colour to make your point?