Wizerunek „rosyjskiego niedźwiedzia” we współczesnej zachodniej karykaturze politycznej: zarys problemu
The image of a „Russian bear” in the Western contemporary political caricature: an outline of the problem

Summary/Abstract: Political caricature is an important segment of the satirical communication space. It takes on specialimportance in the era of pictorial return, the dominance of visual culture. The image becomes an importantcarrier of meaning, a way of expression. An important role in the shaping of contemporary caricatures playdifferent forms of visual intertextuality. The main communicative intention of cartoonists is ridiculing ofdevelopments in the policy and sharp criticism of the destructive actions of the political elite. Usingstereotypical images in this order opens up new opportunities of presentation and interpretation of politicalactivities. One of these images, deeply embedded in the culture and consistently correlated with Russia, is theimage of a RUSSIA BEAR. The caricature it can be presented as a good-natured fairy-tale and OlympicMisha or, more often, as aggressive, bloodthirsty, angry beast that acts cruelly and ruthlessly. In this articlethe author shows a stereotypical „Russian bear” in Western political caricature.

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