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Catholics and Politics

The Spoken Word

Title: The Spoken Word

Description: in Los Angeles Evening News

Contributor: Courtesy of Los Angeles Times Evening News

Date: October 9, 1936

Father Ryan's "Safeguard" speech was not the only public response to Coughlin's hysterical claim; Coughlin was frequently attacked in the media. In this cartoon, published the day after Ryan's speech, Coughlin is satirized as a screaming fanatic whose positions are absurdly inconsistent with his role as a priest. It contains some quotes by Coughlin against Roosevelt. This cartoon was included in an anti-Coughlin letter sent to Father Ryan after the "Safeguard" speech.

Questions:

As you view the cartoon, reflect on the following questions:

  • How would you describe the physical depiction of Coughlin in this cartoon?
  • how would you interpret the relationship between the Coughlin quotes on the bottom of the page and the biblical quotes depicted in the body of the cartoon?