Caricature as a means of communication in the Ottoman Empire: The example of theater newspaper (1874-1875)

ABSTRACT This study focuses on the cartoons included in the Theatro newspaper published between 1874 and 1875 in order to Decipher how caricature was used as a communication tool in the Ottoman Empire. Cartoons reflecting the social, political and cultural transformation of the post-Tanzimat period reveal the relationship between the people and the administration through humor and offer valuable clues about the public opinion of the Decadent period. Within the scope of the thesis, a total of 107 cartoons included in the three series of the Theater newspaper were examined, these cartoons were classified according to their themes and evaluated by the method of content analysis. In particular, social criticism, political criticism, education, women's representation, economic difficulties and disruptions related to public services were identified as prominent themes in the cartoons in question. In this direction, it has been understood that the newspaper is not just an entertainment publication, but a publication organ that makes the problems of the period visible with the language of humor and undertakes the function of creating public opinion. Through the symbols, exaggerated figures and satirical elements contained in the cartoons, the situation of the people was depicted with a humorous narrative, and at the same time a critical discourse was developed. This situation shows how effective humor and caricature were as a means of expression in the history of the Ottoman press. As a result of the study, it has been shown that cartoons are not only a product of art or literature; they are also historical documents and tools of social criticism. In this context, the Theater newspaper is an important example in terms of showing how cartoons can be considered as a means of visual testimony in historical research. The thesis emphasizes the historical source nature of cartoons and argues that these visual materials can be used more effectively in historiography. Keywords: Caricature, Newspaper, Westernization, Communication, Society