without giving clear demands on how he will recover what was taken.
What “reality” is framed/constructed about your issue?
While not associated to the cartoon directly I believe that The Atlantic columnist, Nancy Ball described the reality that is be constructed here, “For Republicans, it was basically for nothing.” (Ball, October 16, 2013) If you read the ransom note it would seem that the GOP has no other reason for a government shutdown accept for the fact that they are Republication and the President is not.
Analysis:
With the use of symbolism Cole constructs a negative light on the government shutdown. At the end of the day, if you are a fan of President Obama and are Pro Obama care, then your opinion of the GOP probably got worse after viewing this cartoon. And vice versa. This notion is shown in a study done by Lindsay Neuberger and Marina Kremer on “The Effect of Editorial Cartoons on Attitude Change; “Participants with strong attitudes about those issues demonstrated little directional attitude change while those with weaker attitudes who were exposed to on-topic articles demonstrated significantly more attitude change in the direction prompted by the articles” (Neuberger and Kremer).
Team Meber Name: Mike Woodfield
Publication: The Cagle Post
Date: 10/16/2013
Cartoonist: John Cole
US/International: US
Title of cartoon: “GOP ransom note”
Cartoon #1
What action is taking place in this cartoon? What is the context?
In this cartoon, cartoonist John Cole is showing President Obama’s view on what is happening with the Government shutdown. In this cartoon Obama is holding a GOP (Good Old Party) written ransom note. (Grace, December 3, 2002) In the ransom note the message written is unreadable and has no clear message. The message received from the viewer of this cartoon is or/would be confusion as to what the Republicans actually want. It would also suggest that the GOP is trying to bring a delay to the whole process.
The most obvious persuasive technique used in this cartoon is Symbolism. According to the Cartoonist’ Persuasive Techniques guide, the cartoonists’ may “use simple objects, or symbols, to stand for larger concepts or ideas.” (Library of Congress, 2012).
Which side is supported by the framing of the cartoon?
We know that this cartoon supports the
democratic side due to the symbolism used. Looking at the ransom note sent to President Obama, the reader can see that GOP wasn’t being absolutely clear on what they wanted.
What evidence can you give that the cartoon supports one side or the other?
The ransom note written isn’t clear. It would lead you to believe that the GOP is lollygagging while leaving the Presidents hands tied. The fact that it is a ransom note would construct the notion that something is being held hostage. By so doing the GOP seems to be holding hostage something important to the President