Final answer:
The message of a political cartoon is understood by analyzing its elements, symbols, and the context of its creation, which often includes satire or commentary on political and societal issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Political cartoons serve as a powerful tool for expressing opinions and commentary on historical and current events. The message of a political cartoon can be discerned by analyzing its elements, symbols, and the context within which it was created.
For cartoons such as "Have A Chair" and "The Only Way To Handle It," these often encapsulate the cartoonist's perspective or critique on political figures, policies, or societal issues. In the case of Herb Block's cartoon mentioned, the message is clear; it criticizes the racial hypocrisy in America by highlighting the different treatment of foreigners compared to African Americans at the time.
When analyzing political cartoons like these, it is essential to identify the depicted objects and people, any symbolic elements, and the words used. These components reflect the issue at hand, and often the cartoonist's message or opinion is in the form of satire, irony, or direct commentary.
As in the example of Thomas Nast's works, political cartoons have long been a medium for symbolism, like using animals to represent political parties. Nast's use of the donkey and elephant to symbolize the Democrats and Republicans has become a lasting tradition in political cartooning. Cartoons from various periods, such as those during Herbert Hoover's presidency or commentary on bureaucratic shifts from spoils to merit systems, give us historical context and insight into public sentiments and criticisms of those times.