The Rhetoric of Caricature in Saudi Electronic Newspapers: A Study of Cartoons Depicting Contemporary Social Issues

Abstract

This research examines the caricatures of Saudi artists Manal Al-Rasini and Abdullah Jaber, published in Saudi electronic newspapers, by analyzing a selection of works that portray contemporary societal issues through the lens of visual rhetoric. It explores the role of the visual image (caricature)—including its forms, colors, lines, and linguistic symbols—in presenting and addressing significant societal topics, as represented in expressive visuals published in electronic platforms such as Al-Jazirah Newspaper, Makkah Newspaper, and Instagram. The study is structured into an introduction, a theoretical framework, and two main sections. The first section focuses on the rhetoric of caricature in addressing the disadvantages of technology use, while the second examines the rhetoric of caricature in depicting broader societal issues. Key findings highlight the prominent use of pictorial paradox and contrast in the caricatures featured in Saudi electronic newspapers. Additionally, these caricatures are distinguished by their rhetorical ability to astonish and engage readers, effectively condensing multiple guiding messages into visually impactful representations.