THE STORY OF DR. SEUSS'S POLITICAL CARTOONS DURING WWII
The horrors and triumphs of war, politically-motivated decisions, and a hint of discriminatory commentary are probably not the first things that come to mind when thinking of Dr. Seuss. You’d be completely excused if your first thought was of questionably colored breakfast items, The Lorax, and a giant cat in a top hat. Yet, Dr. Seuss political cartoons are a part of his legacy as a creator. While working at a New York-based newspaper known as PM in the 1940s, Theodor Seuss Geisel created more than 400 political cartoons during the height of America’s involvement in World War II. His works are works of their time and can showcase American feelings toward major political themes and figures, including Hitler, the Pacific Theater, and, despite some questionable illustration choices, anti-racism/anti-fascist themes. More like this:Kilroy Was Here: The Infamous WWII Meme That Lives On
Dr. Seuss Worked To Illustrate the Politics of His Time
If there is an obvious connection between Dr. Seuss and politics, it is his success with the book The Sneetches and Other Stories. The story of the star-bellied Sneetches painted a thinly veiled metaphor between the characters in the book and their parallels seen throughout Nazi Germany. It was a rousing success worldwide that helped to inspire tolerance and acceptance among different groups of people. Dr. Seuss political comics that were illustrated for PM took a traditional approach to political cartoons and showcased varying themes of the time. This can be complicated, as war often is, and over time, some of the decisions and nuances only become that much more complex. Still, the political statements he illustrated serve as a time capsule of the past and a glimpse into the United States during the Second World War.
What Is a Political Cartoon?
Any illustration that can convey political topics in a humorous or observational manner can be considered a political cartoon. The first political cartoons can be traced back to The Pennsylvania Gazette in 1754 and have been a mainstay of newspapers ever since. As technology advanced, so too did the different art forms of these political statements. Throughout history, we’ve seen political cartoons enter television and movies as well as infiltrate the Internet with memes and online comics.
Political Cartoons of WWII
You don’t have to search far to find a political cartoon about WW2 within the archives. Places such as the National World War II Museum, the History Teaching Institute, and the UCSD Libraries are all great places to start. Written in 1999 by Richard Minear, Dr. Seuss Goes to War is a collection of Dr. Seuss political cartoons created by the famed One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish author himself. From funny political cartoons to poignant statements about world events, political cartoons about WW2 help us reach back in time to gain additional perspectives of the time.
The Dark Side of Drawing a Political Cartoon for WW2
It can be easy to misconstrue the differences between people and governments or citizens and ideals. Often, we see people from other countries become targets for hate, even when the prevailing enemy has nothing to do with such ethnic groups other than sharing a heritage. Such is the case with political cartoons, and those created for WW2 are no exception. Dr. Seuss and other predominant illustrators, such as those in charge of the infamous racist Looney Tunes WWII propaganda film Tokio Jokio, would at times infuse nationalism and prejudice within their message. Particularly against the Japanese, these cartoons had a habit of using exaggerated stereotypes that did no favors for shutting down hysteria that overtook many regions, especially the Pacific Coast of the United States. Freedom of speech comes with the responsibility of accountability for our words and actions. It is important to realize that governments and groups filled with immoral ideas can often find themselves the enemy of America. The people who live there or who once called that land home deserve better from all of us in the form of dignity, the benefit of the doubt, and respect. Suggested read:How the Heart Mountain Internment Camp Started a Revolution
Political Cartoons Are Still Going Strong
If you listen to the mainstream media, you’ll see harrowing headlines depicting the end of political cartoons. Many believe that political cartoonists are out of touch, and in many traditional ways, this is true. But things evolve, and the way we connect and communicate with one another is no different. You are much less likely to spend time picking up a physical newspaper to read a comic strip, like the Dr. Seuss political cartoons, but online comics and memes still shine a light on some of the most pressing political issues in society. Though many may repeat the mistakes of the past, using illustrations can help us express difficult subject matters in a very digestible manner. Related read:How the Higgins Boat Helped End WWII
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