Introduction
Thomas Nast is a perfect example of the importance of knowing our heritage and just how many legacies one person can leave behind. For almost a century and a half now, Thomas Nast's cartoons have had an important place in the American consciousness. Every schoolchild knows that he made the elephant and the donkey potent symbols during the clash between Republicans and Democrats, and made Santa Claus an equally potent symbol in the ongoing clash over presents between children and parents. (Nast, 1971)
Nast's Tweed Ring series is arguably the most powerful and influential work ever done by an American political cartoonist. And I personally believe after studying him thoroughly that he also played a major role in concerning the issues of race and equality during the period of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Thomas Nast political cartoons and the messages had a great influence on the political landscape during that time. (Nast, 1971)
Life of Thomas Nast
Thomas Nast was born on September 27, 1840 in Landau, Germany. Following the tradition of thousands that immigrated to America, young Nast, his sister, and his mother came to the United States in 1846 while his father followed four years later. When the family came to New York, two of the siblings of Thomas Nast were enrolled in public schools. His sister was intelligent so she was able to get good grades in school but Thomas found it really difficult to adjust in the school environment and on top of it he was not even able to speak English and also disliked the homework or the class work that he was given to complete. This continued for many years and then Thomas was in crucial time when he had many chances to flunk the course. (Paine, 1980)
As Paine writes that a neighbor made candles and crayons for a living. He would give Thomas a reject crayons. While young Thomas would spend hours drawing, he could not stand to do a minute of school work. Finally, when Nast was 12, the school master talked to his parents into pulling Thomas out of regular school and enrolling him into an art school.
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