Analysis of Hogan's Alley: What exactly is going on?
These comic strips were very influential and significant to this time period. They symbolized the true American 'Dream' and what it stood for for those who were alive during this interesting period in time. The Yellow Kid could potentially be interpreted as a symbol of the lower class children of America and this was giving them a place in the world, so to speak, however it was very unlikely that they children that the comic was based on even ever got to actually read the comics (if they could even read, that is).
Hogan's Alley was also a familiar sight for the youth of this time period, more specifically those of a slightly lower class. However, there are obviously some comics in this series that clearly exaggerated the extent of the desperation and context of these portrayed slums. Many of these comics would portray the inhabitants of Hogan's Alley to act almost like wild animals instead of people. It seems as though Outcault is taking away the basic characteristics of civilized man and replacing them with instinctive actions based on the will to survive, seen commonly in wild animals such as apes and hyenas. Although, like previously mentioned, not many of these slums' inhabitants were actually purchasing these newspapers to read the comics, therefore they may have never known the true context of Richard F. Outcault's work.
Perhaps some of the creativity and scenarios of Outcault's work could be derived from the exact opposite of his portrayals: perhaps the fact that Outcault was indeed quite successful, both financially and educationally, is why his often disturbing portrayals of life in the slums were so graphic. Outcault very easily could have been embellishing the fact that he was a success and the people of these slums were not and he was using their misfortune to his advantage, and subsequently, to their disadvantage. However, these people were never initially introduced to Outcault's work, therefore most of them never even know they were being categorized into such a miserable and squalid group.
The Yellow Kid can be interpreted in many ways. There are some that say he is the 'main man' of Hogan's Alley; that he is everywhere, all the time, bringing a smiling face and positive attitudes with him. This can be observed in Hogan's Alley by the Yellow Kid's constant smile upon his face and friendly wave. He is also the usual speaker of the comic, normally having a text bubble not in the air above his head, but on his large yellow shirt. Regardless, most of the Yellow Kid's body language suggests that he is a positive and inspiring character. Others may think he has a more insidious agenda and that his consistent grin and wave of approval actually stand for something a bit darker. Some would conclude that he is a malevolent character whom is glamorizing the terrible misfortunes of his friends, family, and neighbors. For example, there are multiple comics showing the Yellow Kid waving his hand back in approval while something highly disturbing is taking place in hogan's Alley. Also, regardless of the situation, no matter how gruesome, awkward, weird, or vulgar, the Yellow Kid is smiling roughly 90% of the time, showing he is clearly oblivious, or that he is truly content and supportive with what is happening in these particular comics. Judging by the majority of Outcault's Hogan's Alley comics, It is really quite difficult to clearly distinguish which agenda is genuine.
Regardless of any one's single interpretation of Hogan's Alley and the Yellow Kid, these comics came to this world at a very interesting time and were quite unique in their own ways. The true significance and meaning to these is mostly humor, although rather dark and disturbing, and many other interpretations have came from this.
Hogan's Alley was also a familiar sight for the youth of this time period, more specifically those of a slightly lower class. However, there are obviously some comics in this series that clearly exaggerated the extent of the desperation and context of these portrayed slums. Many of these comics would portray the inhabitants of Hogan's Alley to act almost like wild animals instead of people. It seems as though Outcault is taking away the basic characteristics of civilized man and replacing them with instinctive actions based on the will to survive, seen commonly in wild animals such as apes and hyenas. Although, like previously mentioned, not many of these slums' inhabitants were actually purchasing these newspapers to read the comics, therefore they may have never known the true context of Richard F. Outcault's work.
Perhaps some of the creativity and scenarios of Outcault's work could be derived from the exact opposite of his portrayals: perhaps the fact that Outcault was indeed quite successful, both financially and educationally, is why his often disturbing portrayals of life in the slums were so graphic. Outcault very easily could have been embellishing the fact that he was a success and the people of these slums were not and he was using their misfortune to his advantage, and subsequently, to their disadvantage. However, these people were never initially introduced to Outcault's work, therefore most of them never even know they were being categorized into such a miserable and squalid group.
The Yellow Kid can be interpreted in many ways. There are some that say he is the 'main man' of Hogan's Alley; that he is everywhere, all the time, bringing a smiling face and positive attitudes with him. This can be observed in Hogan's Alley by the Yellow Kid's constant smile upon his face and friendly wave. He is also the usual speaker of the comic, normally having a text bubble not in the air above his head, but on his large yellow shirt. Regardless, most of the Yellow Kid's body language suggests that he is a positive and inspiring character. Others may think he has a more insidious agenda and that his consistent grin and wave of approval actually stand for something a bit darker. Some would conclude that he is a malevolent character whom is glamorizing the terrible misfortunes of his friends, family, and neighbors. For example, there are multiple comics showing the Yellow Kid waving his hand back in approval while something highly disturbing is taking place in hogan's Alley. Also, regardless of the situation, no matter how gruesome, awkward, weird, or vulgar, the Yellow Kid is smiling roughly 90% of the time, showing he is clearly oblivious, or that he is truly content and supportive with what is happening in these particular comics. Judging by the majority of Outcault's Hogan's Alley comics, It is really quite difficult to clearly distinguish which agenda is genuine.
Regardless of any one's single interpretation of Hogan's Alley and the Yellow Kid, these comics came to this world at a very interesting time and were quite unique in their own ways. The true significance and meaning to these is mostly humor, although rather dark and disturbing, and many other interpretations have came from this.