The old English saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” is true; due to the dominance of visual communication in our world. Today, tons of words can easily be reduced into a single image. In this regard, Gunther Kress and Theo Van Leeuwen in their revised version of their book, “The Grammar of Visual Design”, state that “… what is expressed in language through the choice between different word classes and clause structures, can , in visual communication, express oneself through the choice between different uses of color or different compositional structures.” Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Thus, the political cartoon has occupied niches in “media discourse” as a prevalent subgenre alongside magazines, newspapers, TV channels, posters, and prints. It has also invaded social media platforms like Facebook, blogs, websites, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter…etc. All over the world, comics become a mirror of the social and political life of countries. It has been known as a weapon of criticism and propaganda rather than as an art form. The political cartoon has demonstrated its ability and effectiveness in trivializing the most complex issues and conflicts. Unlike texts, articles or speeches, the political cartoon has the power to immediately expose the most sophisticated issues. In similar words, Neighbor states that political cartoons “… can often have more truth and insight than hundreds of words of text-based analysis.” Its ability to convey messages to people with minimal reading skills was the reason for its wide popularity. History has always been proof of the power and danger that political cartoons have; especially in totalitarian countries. For example, Charles Philippon; a French lithographer, caricaturist and journalist, was arrested for depicting Emperor Louis Philippe as "le poire" (meaning a fat head) and got away with a fine and an apology. Even in Great Britain, during the reign of Queen Victoria, drawing members of the royal family in cartoons was considered a crime; in fact nowadays it becomes a fashion in the West. Unlike the West, where cartoonists enjoy freedom of expression, cartoonists in the Middle East still suffer from the repressed forces exerted by dictatorial regimes. In my paper research, I will focus on analyzing the power of political cartoons and how we can see Tunisia before and after the revolution through the eyes of political cartoons. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Comics is a subversive art. Totalitarian regimes suppress it because dictators are frightened men and cannot risk ridicule! In Tunisia, before the “Jasmine Revolution” and during the presidency of Zine Din Ben Ali, all kinds of freedoms, including “freedom of expression, of the press and of art”, were almost non-existent or under government censorship. It is clear, therefore, that the power of the cartoon threatened the authorities. It can articulate thoughts that might only be in the back of people's minds. It can clarify nebulous and ill-formed attitudes and bring them to life. Cartoons can be emotional, partial, extremely critical, provocative and provocative at the same time; where other printed modes of communication cannot advance.