Difference Between Caricature and Cartoon

Key Difference – Caricature vs Cartoon
 

Caricatures and cartoons are types of drawings we often see in newspapers and magazines. A cartoon is a simplified drawing that is usually intended to create humor. A caricature is a style that uses exaggeration of certain characteristics of a person to create a comic or grotesque effect. This is the key difference between caricature and cartoon. Although caricatures appear to be simple, often grotesque drawing, they are often used for political purposes. Editorial cartoons in news publications often tend to be caricatures.

What is a Caricature?

A caricature is a picture, description, or imitation of a person where certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect. Caricature usually refer to drawings or stretches, published in newspapers and magazines. They can either be complimentary or insulting and can serve a political purpose or create entertainment. Caricatures are often used in newspapers to criticize politicians, social and political issues in the country. While caricatures of politicians can be found in editorial cartoons, caricatures of celebrities can be found in entertainment magazines. Nowadays caricatures are also used as gifts or souvenirs.  Caricatures can range from simple amusement to gentle mockery to harsh and often rude criticism.

A caricaturist is a person who draws caricatures. He or she can draw the natural characteristics of the subject (long nose, big eyes, pointed ears, etc.), acquired characteristics (scars, stoop, etc.) and vanities (clothes, hairstyle, expressions, etc.)

Caricature can also refer to a depiction of a person using exaggeration of some characteristics and oversimplification of others in literature. Many authors use caricatures to create humor, satire, and sarcasm in their work. For example, characters of Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Collins in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice are caricatures.

What is a Cartoon?

Cartoons can be described as an illustration or a series of illustrations, drawn in a non-realistic or semi-realistic artistic style. Cartoons are usually meant to evoke humor and laughter. Cartoons can be categorized into different categories such as editorial cartoons, gag cartoons, and comic strips.

Gag cartoon, also known as panel comics, consists of one drawing, usually about an everyday event with a twist. The punch line is usually at the bottom of the carton or in a speech bubble. Editorial cartoons are found in news publications; they are serious in tone and use satire or irony to criticize something. Editorial cartoons are often caricatures. Comic strips are a short series of drawings and speech bubbles in sequence.

Cartoons can also refer to animations – animated television shows and short movies such as Loony Tunes, Tom and Jerry, Scooby-Doo, The Flintstones, etc.

What is the difference between Caricature and Cartoon?

Definition:

Caricature: A depiction of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect.

Cartoon: A simple drawing that often creates a humorous effect.

Alternative Meanings:

Caricature: It can refer to a portrayal of a person with exaggerated characteristics in literature.

Cartoon: It can refer to a short animated television show or film.

Purpose:

Caricature: Caricatures are often used for political purposes.

Cartoon: Cartoons are used to create humor; editorial cartoons are often caricatures, which criticize social issues.

Uses:

Caricature: Caricatures are often used as editorial cartoons in newspapers, as celebrity caricatures in entertainment magazines, as gifts and souvenirs.

Cartoon: Cartoons are used as editorial cartoons, comic strips, panel comics, and animations.

Image Courtesy:

“Caricature Gillray plum pudding” By James Gillray – from the United States Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs division, digital ID cph.3g08791.(Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

“You know me al comic strip” By Ring Lardner – The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]), 21 Oct. 1922. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia