Old Age as Reflected in Political Contexts

A Hint to the Democratic Party (1903)

Left Again (1904)

Never Too Late to Run (1904)

I'll Take Care of You, Grandma (1909)

Set in Their Ways (1911)

Caption: "Well, the young folks may go if they want to, but they'll never get you and me in the breakneck thing."

Try Your Strength, Gents! (1909)

Caption: The harder you hit it, the higher it goes.

Political cartoons often use caricatures of both famous figures and everyday folk to create undertones of satirical humor. The portrayal of old age in the political sphere is significantly shaped by the historical period in question for both political and social opinion contexts. The elderly are major contributors to government bodies and civic engagement overall, making them subject to criticism in many types of media based on their direct party affiliation, general political leanings, issues of particular interest, and ability to keep up with a political terrain that is the product of new eras.

Set in their Ways summarizes a view concerning the elderly that persists today. The traditionality preferred by most people of old age, their rejection of novel approaches, and lack of risk-taking behavior are seen in a negative light by younger populations. A sort of stubbornness is associated with older people's inclination to favor the familiar. Especially in the realm of politics, where changing times call for changing measures, open-mindedness about progressive policies is valued. Because a great deal of older voters and government officials are resistant towards such endeavors, they are depicted as steadfast in the norms they have set, unwilling to expand their receptiveness in new directions.

A Hint to the Democratic Party and Never Too Late to Run pertain to the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party platform has not remained the same since its establishment, of course, so it is important to recognize the historical context's connection to the message of the cartoon.

A Hint to the Democratic Party shows an elderly woman, representing the Democratic Party, throwing several old men out of a wheelbarrow into the "Democratic Dumping Ground." Charged with partisan views opposing the Democratic Party, the cartoon suggests the maltreatment and devaluation with which the Democratic Party interacts with its elderly aficionados. The artistic choice of depicting a woman in the antagonist position while men are depicted as victims genders the issue imbalancedly. Furthermore, the figures illustrated are all older people, which indicates the lack of involvement of, and thus, perhaps, the lack of negative impacts for, younger people in the political happenings at the time.

Left Again pictures an old woman with "Tariff Revisions" written on the feather of her headwear. Two men face her mockingly from the departed train labeled "Republican Special." On the issue of tariffs and economic manipulation, I'll Take Care of You, Grandma and Try Your Strength, Gents! also communicate strong messages. The politico-historical background was set as such: the Panic of 1907 led to widespread concern regarding high, protectionist duties instituted by the Dingley Tariff of 1897, which was believed to be contributing to high prices and dampening the nation's prosperity. Revision of tariff schedules was thus pledged by both Democrats and Republicans for the 1908 presidential campaign. "Voters generally assumed this rhetoric meant a reduction, not an increase, in the protective tariff," but to their dismay, conflicting interests led to the opposite effect once the Payne-Aldrich Tariff was signed by President Taft (The Ohio State University). The economic exploitation of the elderly, who are consistent consumers and are thereby integral contributors to the market, is a common motif among these cartoons. High tariff rates were helping big business at the expense of the consumer, who was charged disproportionally high prices. With concrete safety nets such as the Social Security Act of 1935 not yet in place, financial health of the elderly was at stake, but of course, both party platforms continued to make promises for the elderly's best interest while not acting on them appropriately.

Never Too Late to Run depicts octogenarian Henry G. Davis as a runner, cross-armed with a resolute expression and his right knee being attended to by Arthur P. Gorman. The cartoon draws on the notion of the physical expectation nearly synonymous with old age: that old age means compromised physical health, which has to hinder a person’s ability to engage in a great degree of activity. Here, the opposite is being suggested. The play on words and double meaning of the illustration is about running for office and both the physical and mental sharpness with which Davis is prepared to serve if elected. Concern about the duality of physical and mental health in the political setting is not exclusive to the modern nor ancient worlds. The government body is under continuous scrutiny, particularly in contemporary times, regarding the aptness of its elected officials. Former President Trump and current President Biden, for example, encountered such inquiries on account of the words they have said and manner in which they acted in recent and past occasions. Leaders in any capacity must be kept under a close lens of observation to ensure that their cognitive, mental, or physical ineptitude does not cause misguidance among the greater public whom they represent.