The Lighter side of Western alienation: depictions of Western alienation in editorial cartoons
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1989
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Abstract
The editorial cartoon has been a popular form of artistic expression for over two-hundred years. Once restricted to the more refined circles and circulated individually, editorial cartoons are now an integral component of the modern newspaper. The editorial cartoon is composed of a series of cultural symbols, types and motifs. It is through the use of these that the editorial cartoon gives expression to mainstream views of a society. Here, it is important to note that the societal expressions contained within an editorial cartoon are, generally speaking, only true for the geographic area served by the newspaper which contains the cartoon. This thesis examines the manner in which editorial cartoons have given expression to a set of interrelated beliefs and values that have existed on the Canadian prairies, and are commonly referred to as "western alienation." This work demonstrates that editorial cartoons have given artistic expression to the concerns and beliefs of the alienated. This expression has both an historic and a contemporary context, both of which are examined here. This is demonstrated by means of a content analysis which relys on quantitative and qualitative procedures. This approach allows for broad generalizations concerning the expression of western alienation and editorial cartooning. However, because editorial cartoons are cultural artifacts it would constitute serious neglect if the more interesting cases were not individual basis. Therefore, a number of cartoons are also discussed on an individual basis.
Description
Bibliography: p. 215-218.
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Citation
Anderson, G. L. (1989). The Lighter side of Western alienation: depictions of Western alienation in editorial cartoons (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/18094