Cartoon Analysis

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Cartoon Analysis Worksheet

VISUALS
1. List the objects or people in the cartoon.
2. Which of the objects / people are symbols?
3. What do each of the symbols mean?

WORDS (not all ‘ toons have words)

1. Identify the cartoon caption and / or title.
2. Locate three words or phrases used by the cartoonist to identity
objects or people within the cartoon.
3. Record any important dates or numbers that appear in the cartoon.
4. Which words or phrases in the cartoon appear to be the most
significant? Explain.
5. List adjectives that describe the emotions portrayed in the cartoon.

ANALYSIS
1. Describe the action taking place in the cartoon.
2. Explain how the words in the cartoon clarify the symbols.
3. Explain the message of the cartoon.
4. What special interest groups would agree / disagree with the
cartoon ’ s message? Explain.

worksheet adapted from “U.S. National Archives and Records Administration’s Digital Classroom”
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/worksheets/cartoon.html
 Cartoon Analysis

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Study the cartoon below, then read the analysis on page 3.

 Cartoon Analysis

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VISUALS
1. Michael Jackson is in both frames of the cartoon. In the second one, he is holding his
youngest son whom he refers to as “Blanket”.
2. Michael Jackson is the symbol in both frames.
3. In the first frame MJ is seen at the height of his success, world-famous as a rock-pop singer,
with the ubiquitous glove on his right had and the requisite costume in which he traditionally
performed. He is very noticeably an African-American. In the second frame, his skin has
been lightened, his facial features have been substantially altered, his eyes have a rather
glazed appearance and he is clothed in a baggy shirt, wearing bunny slippers on his feet. The
glove on his hand has been replaced by a child whose face is covered by a blanket.

WORDS
1. In the first frame, MJ is singing “I’m Bad”, while in the second, he is stating, “I’m Mad”.
2. The phrase that identifies this person to be Michael Jackson is “I’m Bad”, repetitious lyrics to
his hit single, “Bad”. (http://lyrics.rare-lyrics.com/M/Michael-Jackson/Bad.html_)
3. The first frame is dated 1987, when MJ was at the height of his popularity and success—and
well-respected as an important musical artist. The second frame is dated 2003, by which time
MJ had lightened his skin, altered his face through plastic surgeries, straightened his hair
(wearing a wig?), and had started acting rather bizarrely.
4. The dates and lyrics/statements in both frames are equally important as they illustrate the
degeneration of MJ’s respect as an artist and reputation as a person.
5. In Frame One, emotions portrayed are respect and admiration. Frame Two evokes feelings of
derision and pity.

ANALYSIS
1. In Frame One, MJ is singing and dancing. In Frame Two, he is standing, rather lifelessly,
holding his youngest child under a blanket.
2. The words in both frames clarify MJ’s reputation in the world of pop-culture. In 1987, he
was “bad”, — hip, cool, respected, emulated. By 2003, much of the world thought that he
was mad, altering his appearance to appear white, accused of molesting boys at his Neverland
Ranch, a strange and brief marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, and then fathering (?) three
children, all of whom he has sole custody.
3. The theme of this cartoon is that at one time Michael Jackson was cool and well respected, a
pop icon, but he has become a joke in the eyes of many people, an object of pity for many
others. He has gone from “bad” (cool) to “mad” (crazy).
4. MJ’s reputation has suffered greatly, both artistically and personally. He hasn’t had a hit
album in years, yet there was a time when he seemed golden. His album “Thriller” is the
bestselling album of all time, with 45 million worldwide sales powered by seven Top 10 U.S.
singles and eight Grammy Awards. Now he makes the news for his bizarre appearance and
behaviour, including his most recent trial, where he was again accused of the sexual
molestation of young boys. Despite all of this, however, he does have legions of faithful fans
who would not find anything humorous about this cartoon, and feel that MJ was being
attacked by the media. Those who have lost respect for him, both as an artist, and as a human
being, would find this cartoon rather funny and agree with its message.