The Emperor's New Clods

The Emperor's New Clods: Political Cartoons from Zimbabwe
Author	Tony Namate
Country	Zimbabwe
Language	English
Genre	Cartoon
Publisher	Lion Press in collaboration with the New Zimbabwe Media Limited
Publication date	2011
Media type	Print (Paperback)
Pages	114
ISBN	0956663869
Preceded by	Writing on the Wall

Last updated October 18, 2019

The Emperor's New Clods: Political Cartoons from Zimbabwe is a collection of political cartoons by Tony Namate. The collection features cartoons published by the cartoonist in Zimbabwean newspapers between 1998 and 2005, highlighting some landmark moments in a troubled period of the country's history.^[1]

Tony Namate is an award-winning Zimbabwean cartoonist who has gained international recognition for his scathing cartoon commentary on socio-political issues in Zimbabwe and beyond. His 2011 collection of political cartoons, whose title -- "The Emperor's New Clods" -- alludes to Hans Christian Andersen's "The Emperor's New Clothes", has been described by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists’ Kevin Kallaugher as “...[puncturing] the pomposity of the powerful on behalf of the poor and the powerless.”

Cartoonist Visual artist who makes cartoons

A cartoonist is a visual artist who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is often created for entertainment, political commentary, or advertising. Cartoonists may work in many formats, such as booklets, comic strips, comic books, editorial cartoons, graphic novels, manuals, gag cartoons, graphic design, illustrations, storyboards, posters, shirts, books, advertisements, greeting cards, magazines, newspapers, and video game packaging.

The book, whose title alludes to the tale "The Emperor's New Clothes" by Hans Christian Andersen, is said to have been described by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists’ Kevin Kallaugher as “...[puncturing] the pomposity of the powerful on behalf of the poor and the powerless.”^[2]

Allusion is a figure of speech, in which an object or circumstance from unrelated context is referred to covertly or indirectly. It is left to the audience to make the direct connection. Where the connection is directly and explicitly stated by the author, it is instead usually termed a reference. In the arts, a literary allusion puts the alluded text in a new context under which it assumes new meanings and denotations. It is not possible to predetermine the nature of all the new meanings and inter-textual patterns that an allusion will generate. Literary allusion is closely related to parody and pastiche, which are also "text-linking" literary devices.

"The Emperor's New Clothes" is a short tale written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, about two weavers who promise an emperor a new suit of clothes that they say is invisible to those who are unfit for their positions, stupid, or incompetent – while in reality, they make no clothes at all, making everyone believe the clothes are invisible to them. When the emperor parades before his subjects in his new "clothes", no one dares to say that they do not see any suit of clothes on him for fear that they will be seen as stupid. Finally a child cries out, "But he isn't wearing anything at all!" The tale has been translated into over 100 languages.

Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, he is best remembered for his fairy tales. Andersen's popularity is not limited to children; his stories express themes that transcend age and nationality.

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References

↑ Chipato, Michael (29 July 2011). "Namate cartoons in new book". www.newzimbabwe.com. Retrieved 2016-07-04.
↑ Collier, Barbara (23 September 2011). "Persecuted Cartoonists: Steady Hands and Brave Hearts". www.sampsoniaway.org. Retrieved 2016-07-04.

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[1] Chipato, Michael (29 July 2011). "Namate cartoons in new book". www.newzimbabwe.com. Retrieved 2016-07-04.

[2] Collier, Barbara (23 September 2011). "Persecuted Cartoonists: Steady Hands and Brave Hearts". www.sampsoniaway.org. Retrieved 2016-07-04.