The Day We Celebrate

fIMMIGRATION & UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS

• Cartoon Analysis Worksheet: Attach to cartoon.

Team Member Name: Mariah Noble

Publication Harper’s Weekly Date: 1867

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

Title of the cartoon: The Day We Celebrate___Cartoon#___

What action is taking place in the cartoon?

Irish immigrants are beating policemen/ American citizens.

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?

The reality in this cartoon portrays Irish immigrants as uncivilized, irresponsible people with little to no respect for authority figures. The scene is based off of actual riots that occurred in New York between the Irish and the government. History shows that there were multiple riots throughout the mid to late 1800s. The cartoonish illustrated the “wild Irish” as monkey-like people who were chaotic and unintelligent. Every person in the cartoon is holding a weapon with which they can club others in the scene, but the policemen and their weapons are trampled and defeated for the most part. The caption tells what is going on in the picture and when. The two words in either corner indicate that the Irish are thirsty for two things: blood and rum. This illustrates them as violent drunks. The small words, “Brutal attack on the police… Irish riot,” cause the viewer to further sympathize with the seemingly innocent police. The font used for “The day we celebrate” makes the Irish look unintelligent again. This cartoon is addressing the issue of allowing wild Irish immigrants to live in America. It’s message poses the question of how long the injustices of the violent Irish will be tolerated by U.S. citizens. The police seem powerless, while the Irish seem out of control. It frames the law-abiding police as victims to the fiery, rash Irish drunkards who are destroying the American nation.