The Chinese Question

IMMIGRATION & UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS

• Cartoon Analysis Worksheet: Attach to cartoon.

Team Member Name: Mariah Noble

Publication Harper’s Weekly Date: 1871

Cartoonist: Thomas Nast U.S./International (circle)

Title of the cartoon: The Chinese Question Cartoon#___

What action is taking place in the cartoon?

A Chinese man is cowering on the ground with a woman (who we can interpret as Lady Liberty) between him and an angry mob of white Americans. A sign behind him refers to Chinese immigrants in derogatory terms.

Tone of the cartoon:

1) positive or negative framing of undocumented immigrants (circle answer)

2) positive or negative framing of immigration policies (Circle answer)

What “reality” is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?

This is a cartoon that sympathizes with Chinese immigrants. It illustrates the anger and hate that Americans generated, despite having laws and foundations that protect and reach out to those immigrants seeking better lives. The Chinese man is clearly distraught and humiliated by the allegations on the sign behind him. Lady Liberty is trying to comfort him while giving the mob a disapproving look. The members of the mob are ugly and angry. They carry weapons to harm the Chinese refugee, and there is an empty rope on a dead tree in the background, giving the viewer the impression that the mob will hang the Chinese man. The words on the sign describe the Chinese as “barbarians, heathens, the lowest and vilest.” The issue being addressed is prejudice and discrimination against Chinese immigrants. The Chinaman is stereotypically dressed, and the Americans are stereotypically rash in their words and actions. Americans blamed immigrants for problems, just as they do today. This cartoon uses irony to mock how Americans were accusing Chinese workers of being vile, barbaric heathens when in reality the American people’s actions of hostility toward the Chinese were far more wild and rash. The cartoon is framed so that people will see the humane side of the Chinese immigrant’s struggle for respect and peace in the United States.