In 'toon with campus life
Some things never change: Phoenix cartoons chronicle
student life.
By Carol Brévart-Demm
In
1754, newspapers around the country reproduced an image depicting a
snake divided into eight pieces with each of its sections
representing one of the American colonies and the caption "JOIN or
DIE" beneath it. Generally acknowledged as the first American
political cartoon, this visual commentary was intended by its
creator, none other than Benjamin Franklin, to promote the idea of
colonial unity. Since then, newspaper publishers have been using the
skills of cartoonists to deliver editorial commentary--scathing,
mocking, witty, or just plain comical--on issues of global, national,
regional, or local importance.
The "Opinions" section of The Phoenix dates back to the
beginning of the last century. Its precursor was known as the "Court
of Last Retort," where the following invitation was issued: "If you
believe something is rotten in the state of Swarthmore, if you have
some bone to pick with the cuisine, ... with the administration, with
College politics, the courses, the coiffures, or table manners, pick
it here." Swarthmore students have done just that--some of them in
pictures. Because producing editorial cartoons requires not only
artistic talent but also sophisticated and analytical thought, it's
hardly surprising to find that, over the decades, the College
community has harbored--and been the target of--many fine
cartoonists.
The following selection from The Phoenix shows cartoons
that appeared between 1943 and 2000. It's interesting to note that
although times change, themes do not.
Click here to view more
cartoons.
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