Journal of Mass Communication & Journalism

Humor on Pause: How Political Cartoonists Satirize Tragedy

Abstract

Bush L

This essay investigates cartoons that were drawn in response to the four deaths of sitting U. S. Presidents during the 20th century. The author argues that there is a pattern to the cartoons that were drawn and examines why the cartoons are necessary. The author not only examines political cartoons from mainstream newspapers, but analyzes the cartoons that were published in the Chicago Defender. Finally, the author contrasts cartoons drawn about the deaths of sitting presidents to those drawn in response to the deaths of long-retired former presidents.