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Cartoon, The Census, John Bull on a weighing machine
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Cartoon, The Census, John Bull on a weighing machine
Cartoon, The Census, John Bull on a weighing machine - Try Your Weight Date: 1891
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Media ID 32261828
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1891 Bull Census Heavier Heavy Journal Judy Parkinson Serio Comic Umbrella Weigh Weighing
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The Census - John Bull on a Weighing Machine
EDITORS COMMENTS
(Try Your Weight), April 1891 This intriguing cartoon by Terry Parker, published in the Judy, a popular London-based humour magazine in April 1891, offers a satirical commentary on the ongoing census of that year. John Bull, the iconic personification of English national identity and patriotism, is depicted standing on a large, old-fashioned weighing machine. The caption "Try Your Weight" invites the viewer to imagine themselves in John Bull's place, as if to suggest that everyone's weight, both literal and metaphorical, would be assessed during the census. The image is set against a backdrop of the late Victorian era, with its ornate, serio-comic style and attention to detail. John Bull, dressed in his traditional costume, holds an umbrella in one hand and a large scale pan in the other. His expression is one of apprehension as he steps onto the platform, unsure of what the outcome might be. The weighing machine's counter reads "Heavier," hinting that John Bull, and by extension, the British people, might be burdened by something. The cartoon's humor lies in its commentary on the census as a means of quantifying and categorizing the population. The use of the weighing machine as a metaphor for the census process adds a playful and lighthearted touch to the subject matter, while also highlighting the potential for anxiety and uncertainty that comes with being measured and evaluated. Overall, "The Census - John Bull on a Weighing Machine" is a fascinating glimpse into the social and cultural context of the late 1800s, offering a unique perspective on the census process and the role of humor in addressing contemporary issues.
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