Visual Frames of Obamacare: The Evolving Roles of Political Cartoons and Memes in Engaging Public Discourse

• In Event: The Visual in Politics: Rhetorics, Frames, Effects

Abstract

Political commentary has a long history in visual expression. However, what was once the estate of professional cartoonists and magazine illustrators is now the wilds of the Web. How the landmark legislation of the Affordable Care Act fared in this new frontier offers evidence and lessons on the implications of a shifting visual discourse. During the roll out of Obamacare during a contentious and watershed moment in U.S. history, political cartoonists and creators of image macros produced and circulated persuasive narratives. This study uses visual rhetoric, humor theory, and narrative criticism to analyze a collection of these images, raising questions about their visual propositions and their roles in democratic discourse.

Authors

• Marguerite Page, Southern Illinois University

• Janis Teruggi Page, American University