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Cobdens Logic, 1863. Artist: John Tenniel
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Cobdens Logic, 1863. Artist: John Tenniel
Cobdens Logic, 1863. Cobden, MP for Manchester, made a speech in neighbouring Rochdale in which, on the one hand he condemned the British proletariat for their illiteracy, yet, on the other hand, advocated that the masses should be enfranchised. Punch, of course, never slow to pick these things up, made the most of this ambiguity by depicting John Bright, a firm supporter of parliamentary reform, supporting Cobden who is telling the local representative of what is surely the lumpenproletariat, that he should have the right to vote. Obviously, this representative of the illiterate masses, and by extension, the working class generally, would have no idea of what he would be voting for. From Punch, or the London Charivari, December 5, 1863
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Media ID 14830640
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The print titled "Cobdens Logic, 1863" captures a significant moment in British politics during the 19th century. The artwork, created by John Tenniel, depicts Richard Cobden, Member of Parliament for Manchester, delivering a speech in Rochdale. In his address, Cobden criticized the illiteracy of the British proletariat while advocating for their right to vote. Punch magazine seized this opportunity to highlight the ambiguity in Cobden's stance by portraying John Bright, a staunch supporter of parliamentary reform, standing beside him. The cartoon shows Cobden addressing an individual representing the working class and telling him that he should have the right to vote. However, it is implied that this representative has no understanding of what he would be voting for due to his illiteracy. This satirical caricature reflects Punch's astute observation on political rhetoric and highlights the contradictions within Cobden's argument. Through clever visual storytelling and speech bubbles, Tenniel effectively conveys the message that advocating for enfranchisement without addressing education and literacy issues among the masses may lead to uninformed decision-making. The black-and-white engraving adds depth and character to this historical image from December 5th, 1863. It serves as a reminder of how political debates surrounding rights and representation were shaped during that era. This print stands as a testament to Sir John Tenniel's artistic prowess and his ability to capture complex ideas through satire and caricature.
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