Mad Tom In A Rage

Mad Tom In A Rage

In “Mad Tom in a Rage” there is a man trying to hold on to a stone pillar but the Devil is pulling on his back. The man is in colonial style dress, including a waistcoat and he looks upset. In the man’s pocket are scrolls and at his feet there is brandy and a cup. The scrolls in the man’s pocket appear to be about liberty. On top of the pillar is an eagle spitting fire or lightning and inscribed on the pillar are the words Federalist, Government, George Washington, and John Adams. The political cartoon was published in 1802 which means Thomas Jefferson was elected the year before and for the first time an Anti-Federalist became president. The Devil says, “Pull Away Pull Away my Tom. I'll give you all my assistance” and Tom replies, "Oh! I fear it is stronger rooted than I expected but with the assistance of my Old Friend and a little more Brandy I will bring it down." What I gather from the cartoon is that the Devil is trying to pull Thomas Jefferson away from the ways of the Federalists and old Presidents and in a completely different direction. Thomas Jefferson is made out to look like a drunk who is trying to ruin the country. The cartoonist is trying to convey that Jefferson is working with the devil, is a drunk, and will ruin the country. Federalists will be happy with this cartoon because they agree with it. Anti-Federalists will become upset because they believe that Jefferson will be a great president. The cartoonist uses the eagle to represent freedom. By the eagle sending fire towards Jefferson it symbolizes that Jefferson will infringe on the people’s freedom. There is an exaggeration ion both of the men’s faces to look unhappy and immoral.

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