The arrest of "Boss Tweed"—another good joke. The Shadow of Justice. "I'll make some of you cry yet." "Sheriff Brennan merely nodded to Mr. Tweed, bade him 'Good-day,' and laying his hand tenderly on his shoulder, said laughingly, 'You're my man!' It seemed like a deliciously cool joke, and judging from the faces, it was. —New York Tribune." In a paragraph, interpret the message of this Thomas Nast political cartoon, which shows Boss Tweed laughing as he is being arrested while the Shadow of Justice looks on. Be sure to read the captions carefully and consider what each character in the cartoon might represent. In particular, what is suggested by the words of Sheriff Brennan and the Shadow of Justice?.
This Thomas Nast political cartoon depicts the arrest of Boss Tweed, a corrupt politician. The cartoon's message is conveyed through the characters' actions and the captions. Boss Tweed is shown laughing, indicating his disregard for the law and his belief that he is above justice. This is further emphasized by the caption from the New York Tribune, which describes the arrest as a joke. Sheriff Brennan, on the other hand, is portrayed casually arresting Tweed, suggesting that law enforcement may have been complicit or lenient towards him. The caption where Sheriff Brennan tells Tweed, "You're my man!" implies a friendly relationship between them, suggesting corruption within the system. Additionally, the Shadow of Justice, hovering in the background, represents the true essence of justice. It stands as a symbol of the moral and legal consequences that will eventually catch up to Boss Tweed, despite his laughter and the leniency shown by Sheriff Brennan. Therefore, the cartoon conveys the message that justice will ultimately prevail, despite the corrupt actions of individuals like Boss Tweed.
use simple terms
This cartoon is about the arrest of Boss Tweed, a corrupt politician. Boss Tweed is shown laughing while being arrested, showing that he doesn't take it seriously and thinks he can get away with his actions. The sheriff arresting him, named Brennan, seems friendly with Tweed, suggesting that they might be involved in corruption together. The Shadow of Justice in the background symbolizes the consequences that will catch up to Tweed eventually, no matter how much he laughs or how lenient the sheriff is. The cartoon's message is that justice will eventually win, even in the face of corrupt people like Boss Tweed.
