INTRODUCTION

A cartoon is a very famous form of illustration having different meanings evolving from its original meaning. The word ‘Cartoon’ has been derived from Dutch word Karton and the Italian word Cartone, which means strong, heavy paper. In old times this type of paper was used for tapestry. In modern meaning we may define Cartoons as the drawings, sketches and 3d animated cartoons which could be used for representation of feelings, emotions, anger and desires. They could be used for criticism and political purposes as well. There are different types of cartoons used at different times for different purposes. There are different types of cartoons like political cartoons, funny cartoons, exaggerated cartoons, caricature cartoons and comic cartoons etc. Cartoons are drawn on different unique as well as common concepts like dolls, humans, animals, dolls; even some fictitious characters are also explored as cartoon characters. Girls are also one important concept of creating cartoon images.
Now a day’s cartoons have very broad meaning and use. They are being used in advertising industry, for entertainment, for political purposes, for criticism and for delivering serious messages. Cartoons are very important because children start watching cartoons at a very early age and prefer watching them all the time. The most important thing in the cartoons is the use of gender and language in them. Generally cartoonist exaggerates and distorts the language and gender in making of cartoons to exercise power over people and this is very important thing to be noticed.
The main issue to address is the use of gender in the cartoons, how female are being portrayed in the cartoons and what message they are giving with the use of language.
The way in which women have been portrayed on television has received considerable attention from researchers. We have seen that females have been under-represented on television programs, in commercials and cartoons. Females usually appear as low status and less knowledgeable as male characters. We have researched on the effects of television cartoons on gender-role stereotyping. Messages conveyed by cartoons are also of concern because small children cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality. Young children are unable to differentiate between internal and external experiences.
Cartoons are very large mean to entertain, communicate and to propagate. Our research focused on the roles of language gender and power in cartoons. We have covered that how cartoons play a role in our everyday life. What is the impact of the cartoons on our society and how cartoons influence different genders and age groups in society? We have tried to find out that how power can be exercised through cartoons. We have tried to find out ways to reduce stereotypes from cartoons. We have taken different cartoons like Johny Bravo, Justice League, Aladdin, Scooby Doo and Simpsons. We have also taken some cartoons from the internet which is basically gender biased and stereotype perpetuating cartoons.