Pragmatic Analysis of Mood in Selected Editorial Social Cartoons

Abstract

Editorial Cartoons have shaped public opinions on societal issues over the years, usually resulting in reverberating consequences. In 2015, twelve people were killed in the Charlie Hebdo magazine offices attack in Paris. In 2017, Bala, an India journalist was jailed, while Triveldi, another journalist was arrested and jailed earlier in 2012 for cartoon related issues. These and other events like it show that cartoons are a potent force in depicting societal issues. This study examines the role played by cartoons columns in depicting the social mood in Nigeria. Some random three cartoons in October, 2017 are analyzed and explicated, using the tools of presupposition and context to explicate the mood of each cartoon, thus determining the language use. The analysis carried out reveals that cartoon columns reflect the mood of disbelief, dejection, and despair. The existential presupposition is prominent, thus affirming cartoons play important role in documenting, and shedding light on social issues.