Caricature entitled "That Accounts for It" - A Commentary on People's Ability to Deceive Themselves
In this drawing, Isaac Cruikshank caricature various representative types of British society. Each caricature is accompanied by a short blurb, apparently the inner dialogue of the character, in which he tries to explain his or her situation themselves. The technique is reminiscent of later comic books, although the panel does not attempt to tell a narrative story.
I have enlarged some of the characters in order to give a better idea of Isaac Cruikshank's abilities as a caricaturist, and also make the text accompanying each figure more readable.
In this vignette, a barrister complains that he has no cases pending. He blames his lack of business on people becoming wiser and so less inclined to disputes or litigation, rather than considering that he might be a bad lawyer who no one wants to hire.
A British sailor who has lost his leg in action against the French takes credit for the lack of enemy activity.
A porcine looking women wonders why the all the men are paying attention to her and attributes it to her nice new sandals and what she is wearing. I am not sure what to make of this one. Is Isaac saying that she is deluding herself into thinking that the men are interested in her? Or are they interested in her for money and she does not realize it?
More illustrations by Isaac Cruikshank:
