Final answer:
The artist's portrayal of George Whitefield's audience suggests they were emotionally captivated by his sermons, often weeping, which reflected the intense religious passion of The Great Awakening.
Step-by-step explanation:
The artist suggests that Whitefield's audience was deeply moved and emotionally engaged by his preaching. The illustration for Whitefield's memoirs depicts him with a gentle expression, hands raised but not appearing agitated, which is intended to evoke a sense of calm exultation or entreaty. In contrast, the cartoon satirizing Whitefield as 'Dr. Squintum' shows him with hands raised in a manner that seems to mock his fervor, indicating the artist's distaste for Whitefield's style. This image conveys a circus-like atmosphere, criticizing the emotional responses that Whitefield elicited from his congregation, such as weeping and openly expressing their feelings, which were a hallmark of the religious fervor during The Great Awakening.