POLITICAL CARTOONS
A tool for analyzing political, economic,
environmental, and socio-cultural issues
CGW4U
Ms. Percy
What are political cartoons?
!   Art form that serves as a medium for
expressing opinion about society, an issue
!   Express viewpoints on political, economic,
environmental, cultural or social issues
!   Make use of humor, historical events, and
stereotypes to convey message
!   Often use symbols to represent objects,
people or organizations (e.g. Uncle Sam =
United States)
How can they be effective?
!   Can address a controversial issue without any
written text
!   Have mass appeal
!   They are humorous
!   Emotional impact
Cartoon Analysis Questions
1. 
What is the setting of the cartoon? Describe what you
see.
2. 
Who are the characters/symbols in the cartoon and what
do they represent?
3. 
What issue is being portrayed? What type of geographic
issue is it? (economic, environmental, social, cultural, and political)
4. 
What is the message being expressed? Is it positive or
negative?
5. 
Do you think the cartoon is effective? Why or why not?
What could be added or removed to make it more
effective?
6. 
Do you agree with the cartoonist’s point of view? Why or
why not?
7. 
What would be an appropriate title for the cartoon?
Your Task…
1) 
With your partner, analyze your political
cartoon by first answering the 7 analysis
questions as they relate to your cartoon.
Leave room after each answer for
additional input.
2)  With your new group, discuss and compare
your analyses. Come to a consensus about
the message, meaning, and overall
effectiveness. You will present your
analysis to the class.
Political Cartoon Creation
!   Create your own political cartoon about an
important world issue of your choice
!   Research, create, analyze
!   Once you are done creating your cartoon (by
hand or digitally), write a proper analysis that
answers the 7 analysis questions. See the
example in class.
!   Use the digital tools on our website if you
want to create your cartoon using online tools
Harper’s Meltdown
Political Cartoon Analysis
This cartoon is set in Canada’s Arctic and depicts two polar bears looking
at Prime Minister Stephen Harper who is slowly sinking into the frigid water
as his small and insignificant “platform” melts away. The polar bears are
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sarcastically commenting on Harper’s arguably insufficient environmental
platform for addressing climate change and the impact it is having on Canada’s
ice caps and northern wildlife in particular. Polar bears were chosen as the main
characters of the cartoon as they are a specie whose survival is directly
threatened by climate change. Harper is waving good-bye with a stunned look on
his face, which represents his response of shying away from the issue,
addressing it too late or the fact that his inaction may be causing him to “sink” in
the polls. This cartoon clearly communicates a strong message about a pressing
Canadian and global environmental and political issue.
This cartoon portrays Harper’s response to climate change in a negative
light by having him standing alone and sinking on a small ice floe; an appropriate
metaphor for what is currently taking place in the far North. By having the polar
bears sarcastically comment on the Prime Minister’s response to this serious
issue, the reader gets the sense that it is clear that many people feel that Harper
has done too little, too late. Thus, the use of sarcasm helps to convey a
negative message about the conservative government’s response to
climate change. I wanted to communicate my dissatisfaction with Harper’s
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inaction as his government only responded to this environmental crisis upon the
release of a UN report to the public, which resulted in public outcry and a change
in poll standings. Harper needs to take a more proactive, rather than reactive,
approach to this increasingly complex issue as it has far-reaching and severe
consequences for Canada and the global community.
After analyzing my cartoon, I think I could have made it more effective by
exaggerating the setting. For example, I think the severity of the issue could be
communicated if one polar bear was struggling to swim in the water while the
other was on a thin piece of ice tanning under the sun. This would show how the
bears are being affected while illustrating the environmental impact increased
temperatures are having on the physical environment. Suitable titles for this
particular cartoon include “Harper’s Sinking Ship” or “Harper’s Meltdown.” These
proposed titles reinforce my viewpoint on the issue while leaving the reader
to interpret the image.
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