Big Paper Topic
How history is portrayed in Graphic Novels.
The question is GN considered literature and my answer is yes. I used the Webster depiction of literature to draw my conclusion. I said that to segue into my Big Paper topic of how GN portrays historical events. Almost all the GN I happen to read had a strong emphasis on history whether subtle or blatant. I love history all forms (world, local, marine, and music etc..)
Persepolis is about a young woman coming of age in Iran. GN novelist, Marjane Satrapi portrayal of life under the repressive regime of Shah of Iran. The executions and the morality as ridiculous as it sounds now but it was a reality back in 1970’s and 80’s. I remember the hostage crisis and the tension Americans felt toward Muslim similar to what is going on now with the Taliban.
In Ethel & Ernest which is my favorite GN. Raymond Briggs incorporates history as a subtle background in his memoir about his parents. His parents meet and marry in 1930 and there is a scène on page 11 where his parents are peeking in the bathroom admiring the porcelain claw foot tub in awe. On page 74 his parents get their first house phone and his mother is afraid to answer it. Briggs doesn’t beat you over the head with history but its there for example his parents like mine were affected in different ways by World War II. Briggs memoir would be just a sweet love story of life, love and death but he wisely infuses historical references through out the novel to make it more real and intimate not mention educational.
Fun House by Allison Bechdel is another personal memoir in first narrative about growing up in a dysfunctional home with secrets. Unlike the other GN l mentioned historical references are not as blatant you really had to look and seek them out. An example would be the style of clothing the characters wore would point to 1970’s.m (pg15). The orphan dress and later in the novel the suits jackets with the huge butterfly collars. Bechdel description of her parent’s avant-garde pre- children lifestyle speaks of the 1960’s (pg 70-75). Then there is the whole issue around her father’s homosexuality. It would be easy to blame his desire for secrecy on the sign of the times, however it appeared to more complex that just society wasn’t ready for a gay man. If it were 2007 her father would have still struggled with his sexuality.
Over all I think GN when done well serve as great and informative way of portraying
Monday, August 20, 2007
Final Exam
Graphic Novel Final Exam
Using p126 of McCloud as a reference/ guide, define the line style of one of the graphic novels you have read SINCE the midterm. How does the line style impact the storytelling of that specific GN?
Based on McClouds description of line style l am going use GN Ethel & Ernest as an example of creative line style that impacts the story and grabs the reader. McCloud gives an example of Graphic Novelist Eisner modern work of full range of lines styles captions a full range of moods and emotions. The example shows a character with a much defined features and iconic. In Ethel & Ernest the graphics are a combination of the particular styles with a mixture of R Crumbs (neurotic quill lines of modern adulthood) The line style depict a calmness (McCloud pg 124) In Ethel & Ernest (pg 18-21) the line style is steady left to right and easy to follow and the facial features are somewhat more obscure but as the characters age their faces take on the aging lines and the thinning hair.
#3
I believe that using first person narrative voice has a stronger impact on the reader and the material. When the author is first person point of view he is using his own voice. Because he is using his own voice it creates an immediate bond with the reader. The reader feels that they are involved in intimate conversation with the narrator and privy to their inner most secrets. In the GN Fun Home, Allison Bechdel takes the reader into her private domain of her dysfunctional family. As the reader l feel she is using her voice to share with me perhaps things she has only divulged to her therapist. On pg 94-95 Bechdel describes her Fathers peculiar relationship with young, good-looking neighborhood boys who he hires as yard workers and babysitters. You can sympathize with her as a young girl smart enough to really know what is going but the family ignores the elephant in the living room and is reluctant to connect the dots.
The one drawback of first person narrative is you have to wonder if they are telling the whole truth or their version of the facts. Are they a reliable narrator? In my own family of six sibling we often reminisce about childhood events and all of us have differing opinion on the same thing. So you have to weigh it against what might have really happened. In GN novel Ethel & Ernest again the same issues arises is Raymond Briggs a reliable narrator since he is an only child and both parents are deceased? I would say yes because how you view things is your own personal truth. The memoirs might be subjective to the narrator but the world history events are reliable because their facts for example in Ethel & Ernest on pg 74 he describes with humor his parents reaction to getting their first telephone. I believe it happen the way he described it. Overall l am in support of first person narrator as a reliable source when telling a story.
#4 Using McClouds description of creation l will explore American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang.
1) Idea/Prose: Yang idea is to use a style similar in Aesop Fable where he uses a mixture of human’s and animals to tell his story around self-acceptance and prejudice.
2) Form: Yang uses comic’s book style and format. He also has three stories that appear to be unrelated although of a similar theme but he skillfully connects all three stories together to make a great Aesop morality fable.
3) Idiom: The genre is fable or beast tale.
4) Structure: McClouds definition is bringing it all together and how to compose it. As l read the GN I and the feeling that Yang structure started out as a regular comic book with simple sequence and it later metamorphosed to include the animals and the theme around transformers. He was able to take three stories and merge them into one big story. Personally l dont think when he began writing that was his intent but he used his creative energy to pull it all together.
5) Craft: (Include applying skills, practical knowledge, invention and problem solving) In a nutshell this means to me that the writer has to pull it all together to male it work.
6) Surface: McCloud uses an apple as a example of what he means by surface. Apples look good on the outside their shiny and waxed to look attractive so the consumer will buy them. However you can bite into one and yuk its hollow and no taste. Just a pretty package but nothing more. A GN can be glossy and made to look enticing to the buyer however it has no substance no literary value. The writer failed to concentrate on the craft, idea and form. It’s not a complete package. American Born Chinese has it moments. Originally l wasn’t impressed at all with the story. My thoughts were ok this GN about Asian American youth looking for self acceptance. However Yang took time to cultivate all the steps (1-6) which drew me the reader page after page. The GN actually had multi-layered messages on morality and self acceptance.
Are GN/Comics literature?
Literature is defined according to Webster Dictionary as:
All writings In prose or verse of an imaginative character.
All such writings having permanent value, excellent form.
All writings of a particular time, country.
Using the Webster definition I would say yes some GN are considered literature. In this class almost all the GN I’ve read would fall into the category of literature. I have read Ethel and Ernest and using the Webster definition this is literature. The GN is based the memoir of Raymond Briggs parents. The story evolves against the backdrop of world events. I also read Persepolis another memoir of a young woman coming of age in Iran.
Although these GN are in comic book genre is definitely not light weight fluff. Novelist Sara Ryan (The Rules for Hearts) pointed out there has been many forms of art that have not received proper respect. I am of the school of thought that if a person picks up a classic novel or comic book their engaged in reading and its an opportunity to broaden their horizon and who are we to judge what constitutes “real” reading or fluff. Those that argue against GN as literature are guilty of being literaturey snobs. As young adult novelist Cecil Castelluci wondered, why cant comics are both. It is literature and it’s taught in literature, and it is fine art, and taught in fine art department.
Using p126 of McCloud as a reference/ guide, define the line style of one of the graphic novels you have read SINCE the midterm. How does the line style impact the storytelling of that specific GN?
Based on McClouds description of line style l am going use GN Ethel & Ernest as an example of creative line style that impacts the story and grabs the reader. McCloud gives an example of Graphic Novelist Eisner modern work of full range of lines styles captions a full range of moods and emotions. The example shows a character with a much defined features and iconic. In Ethel & Ernest the graphics are a combination of the particular styles with a mixture of R Crumbs (neurotic quill lines of modern adulthood) The line style depict a calmness (McCloud pg 124) In Ethel & Ernest (pg 18-21) the line style is steady left to right and easy to follow and the facial features are somewhat more obscure but as the characters age their faces take on the aging lines and the thinning hair.
#3
I believe that using first person narrative voice has a stronger impact on the reader and the material. When the author is first person point of view he is using his own voice. Because he is using his own voice it creates an immediate bond with the reader. The reader feels that they are involved in intimate conversation with the narrator and privy to their inner most secrets. In the GN Fun Home, Allison Bechdel takes the reader into her private domain of her dysfunctional family. As the reader l feel she is using her voice to share with me perhaps things she has only divulged to her therapist. On pg 94-95 Bechdel describes her Fathers peculiar relationship with young, good-looking neighborhood boys who he hires as yard workers and babysitters. You can sympathize with her as a young girl smart enough to really know what is going but the family ignores the elephant in the living room and is reluctant to connect the dots.
The one drawback of first person narrative is you have to wonder if they are telling the whole truth or their version of the facts. Are they a reliable narrator? In my own family of six sibling we often reminisce about childhood events and all of us have differing opinion on the same thing. So you have to weigh it against what might have really happened. In GN novel Ethel & Ernest again the same issues arises is Raymond Briggs a reliable narrator since he is an only child and both parents are deceased? I would say yes because how you view things is your own personal truth. The memoirs might be subjective to the narrator but the world history events are reliable because their facts for example in Ethel & Ernest on pg 74 he describes with humor his parents reaction to getting their first telephone. I believe it happen the way he described it. Overall l am in support of first person narrator as a reliable source when telling a story.
#4 Using McClouds description of creation l will explore American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang.
1) Idea/Prose: Yang idea is to use a style similar in Aesop Fable where he uses a mixture of human’s and animals to tell his story around self-acceptance and prejudice.
2) Form: Yang uses comic’s book style and format. He also has three stories that appear to be unrelated although of a similar theme but he skillfully connects all three stories together to make a great Aesop morality fable.
3) Idiom: The genre is fable or beast tale.
4) Structure: McClouds definition is bringing it all together and how to compose it. As l read the GN I and the feeling that Yang structure started out as a regular comic book with simple sequence and it later metamorphosed to include the animals and the theme around transformers. He was able to take three stories and merge them into one big story. Personally l dont think when he began writing that was his intent but he used his creative energy to pull it all together.
5) Craft: (Include applying skills, practical knowledge, invention and problem solving) In a nutshell this means to me that the writer has to pull it all together to male it work.
6) Surface: McCloud uses an apple as a example of what he means by surface. Apples look good on the outside their shiny and waxed to look attractive so the consumer will buy them. However you can bite into one and yuk its hollow and no taste. Just a pretty package but nothing more. A GN can be glossy and made to look enticing to the buyer however it has no substance no literary value. The writer failed to concentrate on the craft, idea and form. It’s not a complete package. American Born Chinese has it moments. Originally l wasn’t impressed at all with the story. My thoughts were ok this GN about Asian American youth looking for self acceptance. However Yang took time to cultivate all the steps (1-6) which drew me the reader page after page. The GN actually had multi-layered messages on morality and self acceptance.
Are GN/Comics literature?
Literature is defined according to Webster Dictionary as:
All writings In prose or verse of an imaginative character.
All such writings having permanent value, excellent form.
All writings of a particular time, country.
Using the Webster definition I would say yes some GN are considered literature. In this class almost all the GN I’ve read would fall into the category of literature. I have read Ethel and Ernest and using the Webster definition this is literature. The GN is based the memoir of Raymond Briggs parents. The story evolves against the backdrop of world events. I also read Persepolis another memoir of a young woman coming of age in Iran.
Although these GN are in comic book genre is definitely not light weight fluff. Novelist Sara Ryan (The Rules for Hearts) pointed out there has been many forms of art that have not received proper respect. I am of the school of thought that if a person picks up a classic novel or comic book their engaged in reading and its an opportunity to broaden their horizon and who are we to judge what constitutes “real” reading or fluff. Those that argue against GN as literature are guilty of being literaturey snobs. As young adult novelist Cecil Castelluci wondered, why cant comics are both. It is literature and it’s taught in literature, and it is fine art, and taught in fine art department.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
erican Born Chinese
This a cool story about self acceptance. I originally read only two stories not realizing that all three of the stories are inter-related so l had to go back and read the stories in sequence which I didn’t mind because it tied it all together. The first story is about a boy name All Jin Wang who is new to school (Mayflower Elementary) Get It) and his teacher introduces as the kid from China when he is actually from San Francisco. His classmates due to their inbred ignorance right away want to know if he eats dogs; however the teacher with her big mall hair reminds the students that I’m sure his family stops this culinary practice before they got here to USA. All Wang wants to is assimilate and be one the crowd. Then a new Chinese student arrives and sees in Wang a chance for friendship which Wang at first doesn’t want because the new kid is a reminder of his difference. As an African American I can relate to this experience especially if you’re the only one in your class. However I always seen other people of color as comrades not cast offs. They forge a strong bond while playing with transformers. Transformers are toys which appear to be one thing and can be twisted and manipulate into a totally different character.
The author is a genius at using metaphors especially as a tool to segue into the next story. The next is on e I originally skipped over because I didn’t realize he important tie in with the other two stories. This story is about a monkey who tries to crash a dinner arty and he so certain he is on the “It” list that it comes as quite a shock when he told he cant come in because he doesn’t have on any shoes. He proceeds to give all his so called credentials as why he should be accepted but to no avail. Again the theme around fitting in and also learning to love the skin your in is prominent. There is a scene pg 20 when is directly returns to his cave and the smell of monkey is strong and until then he had never notice it. That is how it feels for those I the minority as long as your in your safe, secure enclave of familiar folks you don’t really recognize your difference as a negative. I grew up in a low income housing project and I was surrounding by a great supportive community of people who cared and protective each other. It wasn’t until I went to school and my teachers, peers discovered where l lived that it began to dawn on me that l am different in there eyes. Or as my cousin who grew up poor said “l didn’t know I was poor until the kids at school made fun of my Value Village winter coat, until then I was proud of my coat it had fur and looked good after that I didn’t want to wear it again because of what it symbolized” The same can be said for youth these days and their desire for expensive tennis shoes it means they fit in. The great Monkey King declares everyone must wear shoes and on page 61 there is a very humorous picture of one of the monkeys with shoes on his ears and the Great Monkey Kng struts past and inform “you feet little one your feet”.
The sequence of this GN is that the three stories flow interchangeably… you have story of Wang then Monkey Kind then the story of Chin Kee then back and forth. The Monkey demands an audience with the great Tze-Yo-Tzuh where he challenges him and his authority. This parable reminds me of the stories in the bible. I saw Tze-Yo-Tzuh as God and Monkey King as maybe David. Monkey King tries to out smart Tzuh and he remind him that he formed him it he gives him power. This reminds me of Psalms 139 when God reminds David that before you were born l formed you I know your every thought there is no place you can go from me.
The next story is about two boys names Danny and Chin Kee who are cousins so were led to believe. Danny wants to fit it by any means necessary and he usually does until once a year his cousin Chin Kee arrives. The author made Chin Kee into a painful stereotype of a Chinese with buck teeth, crazy hair and horrendous English. As I was reading it I felt my own stomach quench Chin Kee is so not politically correct and that is exactly the point the author is trying to convey. On one hand you have the American Chinese who if was for his eyes and skin color would fit right no questions asked but then there is always that slanted eyed, dark skinned relative that appears when you least expect them to. Again I can relate to this because l has great aunts who passed for white during the early century. Only one had children but the other married a white man and feared that black blood would rise up sort like Chin Kee and ruin everything. Chin Kee is really Danny’s conscious. It isn’t until later that the reader begins to see how all three stories are linked together. Danny and Chin Kee duke it out and when Danny belts him a good one Chin Kee heads flies off to reveal his true identity the Great Monkey King and Danny is really Jin Wang? the guy from Jr High (follow me? I’m getting confused myself) The Monkey King is the father of Wei-Chen – Danny’s friend from Jr high. Whew! Just trying to explain that sequence confused me even more.
As I end the graphics in this Novel where off the hook, now I know that isn’t an academic term but the split panels and white backgrounds add so much to story line. The author not only is a gifted storyteller but an amazing artist.
The major themes: Self Acceptance and Love thy neighbor became you never who/how you will need that person.
This is a books that can be enjoyed by all age old enough read and grasp a storyline.
This a cool story about self acceptance. I originally read only two stories not realizing that all three of the stories are inter-related so l had to go back and read the stories in sequence which I didn’t mind because it tied it all together. The first story is about a boy name All Jin Wang who is new to school (Mayflower Elementary) Get It) and his teacher introduces as the kid from China when he is actually from San Francisco. His classmates due to their inbred ignorance right away want to know if he eats dogs; however the teacher with her big mall hair reminds the students that I’m sure his family stops this culinary practice before they got here to USA. All Wang wants to is assimilate and be one the crowd. Then a new Chinese student arrives and sees in Wang a chance for friendship which Wang at first doesn’t want because the new kid is a reminder of his difference. As an African American I can relate to this experience especially if you’re the only one in your class. However I always seen other people of color as comrades not cast offs. They forge a strong bond while playing with transformers. Transformers are toys which appear to be one thing and can be twisted and manipulate into a totally different character.
The author is a genius at using metaphors especially as a tool to segue into the next story. The next is on e I originally skipped over because I didn’t realize he important tie in with the other two stories. This story is about a monkey who tries to crash a dinner arty and he so certain he is on the “It” list that it comes as quite a shock when he told he cant come in because he doesn’t have on any shoes. He proceeds to give all his so called credentials as why he should be accepted but to no avail. Again the theme around fitting in and also learning to love the skin your in is prominent. There is a scene pg 20 when is directly returns to his cave and the smell of monkey is strong and until then he had never notice it. That is how it feels for those I the minority as long as your in your safe, secure enclave of familiar folks you don’t really recognize your difference as a negative. I grew up in a low income housing project and I was surrounding by a great supportive community of people who cared and protective each other. It wasn’t until I went to school and my teachers, peers discovered where l lived that it began to dawn on me that l am different in there eyes. Or as my cousin who grew up poor said “l didn’t know I was poor until the kids at school made fun of my Value Village winter coat, until then I was proud of my coat it had fur and looked good after that I didn’t want to wear it again because of what it symbolized” The same can be said for youth these days and their desire for expensive tennis shoes it means they fit in. The great Monkey King declares everyone must wear shoes and on page 61 there is a very humorous picture of one of the monkeys with shoes on his ears and the Great Monkey Kng struts past and inform “you feet little one your feet”.
The sequence of this GN is that the three stories flow interchangeably… you have story of Wang then Monkey Kind then the story of Chin Kee then back and forth. The Monkey demands an audience with the great Tze-Yo-Tzuh where he challenges him and his authority. This parable reminds me of the stories in the bible. I saw Tze-Yo-Tzuh as God and Monkey King as maybe David. Monkey King tries to out smart Tzuh and he remind him that he formed him it he gives him power. This reminds me of Psalms 139 when God reminds David that before you were born l formed you I know your every thought there is no place you can go from me.
The next story is about two boys names Danny and Chin Kee who are cousins so were led to believe. Danny wants to fit it by any means necessary and he usually does until once a year his cousin Chin Kee arrives. The author made Chin Kee into a painful stereotype of a Chinese with buck teeth, crazy hair and horrendous English. As I was reading it I felt my own stomach quench Chin Kee is so not politically correct and that is exactly the point the author is trying to convey. On one hand you have the American Chinese who if was for his eyes and skin color would fit right no questions asked but then there is always that slanted eyed, dark skinned relative that appears when you least expect them to. Again I can relate to this because l has great aunts who passed for white during the early century. Only one had children but the other married a white man and feared that black blood would rise up sort like Chin Kee and ruin everything. Chin Kee is really Danny’s conscious. It isn’t until later that the reader begins to see how all three stories are linked together. Danny and Chin Kee duke it out and when Danny belts him a good one Chin Kee heads flies off to reveal his true identity the Great Monkey King and Danny is really Jin Wang? the guy from Jr High (follow me? I’m getting confused myself) The Monkey King is the father of Wei-Chen – Danny’s friend from Jr high. Whew! Just trying to explain that sequence confused me even more.
As I end the graphics in this Novel where off the hook, now I know that isn’t an academic term but the split panels and white backgrounds add so much to story line. The author not only is a gifted storyteller but an amazing artist.
The major themes: Self Acceptance and Love thy neighbor became you never who/how you will need that person.
This is a books that can be enjoyed by all age old enough read and grasp a storyline.
Monday, August 6, 2007
earning from the Sequence: The Use of Comics in Instruction
I read this article twice and in order for me to blog intelligenlty l need to marniate on it and get back to you all. It propose some intersting questions and theories. Since l work in a school l'm always looking at creative ways to engage students into learning. Stay tuned l promise
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Tsunami! Review
I read this GN about two weeks and i re-read again. It wasn't until i re-read it that i realize there are a few stories within a story in this piece. Personally the story line sucked me in because it was easy and also very compelling story about surviving one the greatest catastrophes of my life time. The graphic pictures of the woman running for her life were realistic as if i was watching them in real time.
This GN reads like a anthology of short stories, a travel write-up, a narrative news story and a bunch of mumbo jumbo all rolled into on piece. It sounds like I'm putting Tsunami down but actually I'm not. I read it with an open mind. I took a class at Antioch called Narrating Change and the whole class was on the power of telling stories. Stories can be a catharsis to healing and redemption or simple tales deep within us that we want to pull out and place on paper.
Truthfully at times Tsunami got a little confusing with different styles of writing, an example is you start off reading a graphic novel with pictures in sequential order then he drifts to a more traditional approach of story telling then he uses summaries (pg6) then he switches back to comic book format then he switches to a completely different story so as a reader your following along to where this will lead.
I didnt even know that he was relaying a tale about drug smuggling until i did a web search? (probably just me). Anyhow i facilitate a girls group at the elementary school where i work and several of the girls are into Mango and graphic novels and I wont to introduce them to prospect of creating their own work and Halls Tsunami is a good start because it is simplistic enough for them to follow not so much the contents but the layout and graphics. Actually I get excited because l got a feeling these girls will be awesome at this kind of stuff. Peace.
This GN reads like a anthology of short stories, a travel write-up, a narrative news story and a bunch of mumbo jumbo all rolled into on piece. It sounds like I'm putting Tsunami down but actually I'm not. I read it with an open mind. I took a class at Antioch called Narrating Change and the whole class was on the power of telling stories. Stories can be a catharsis to healing and redemption or simple tales deep within us that we want to pull out and place on paper.
Truthfully at times Tsunami got a little confusing with different styles of writing, an example is you start off reading a graphic novel with pictures in sequential order then he drifts to a more traditional approach of story telling then he uses summaries (pg6) then he switches back to comic book format then he switches to a completely different story so as a reader your following along to where this will lead.
I didnt even know that he was relaying a tale about drug smuggling until i did a web search? (probably just me). Anyhow i facilitate a girls group at the elementary school where i work and several of the girls are into Mango and graphic novels and I wont to introduce them to prospect of creating their own work and Halls Tsunami is a good start because it is simplistic enough for them to follow not so much the contents but the layout and graphics. Actually I get excited because l got a feeling these girls will be awesome at this kind of stuff. Peace.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi
Persepolis
I couldn’t put this book down. This memoir reminded of the power of storytelling and the affects it has n its readers.
This is memoir by Marjane Satrapi about growing up in Iran before, during and after the fall of Iran. She recalls her childhood with humor and straight up honesty she doesn’t pull any punches. The story is set in Persepolis Greek for “city of Persians” she lives her parents among a large extended family. Her parents are very modern with Marxist political affiliations. I don’t want to turn this into a book report just yet so I’m going to take a diversion real quick.
One of the questions asks on our midterm was do GN represent history accurately? I would say yes GN doe show us a side of history as told the eyes of the narrator. I remember the Iran conflict well. Satrapi story is similar to a book l read last year Bookshop of Kabul and Goya’s Story about female’s coming of age in Kabul during the oppressive regime. She recalls how she was stopped by the fashion police (that’s not their name but it was just as ridiculous) for not wearing appropriate Muslim clothing. At the time Satrapi had on air Jordon’s, jean jacket with a Michael Jackson button she used humor to try to get out trouble stating that the button represented Malcolm X(black Muslim leader) no go they were ready to take her down to police station and flog her, instead they gave her a stern lecture about being a whore and a slut.
Satrapi’s story appears to be a typical coming of age memoir. In one scene she describes how she wants an Iron Madden poster and cool shoes and then the next scene describes running for cover from the falling bombs. This novel is first person narrator so all the events are from Satrapi point of view. Her narrative style of story is both humorous and profound. One example are her on going dialogues with God who she graphically portrays as all –knowing wise man with a long white beard who appears to her nightly. She also does a realistic job of painting a picture of classis among their culture (Iran). I work with a lady who grew up in Persia and she has told me basically the same things Satrapi talks about such as middle class and educated Persians are very selective about who they marry, associate with and its ingrained so even if you want to branch out its hard because its an unspoken expectation.
This was both a visually appealing GN as well as emotional page turner. There are scenes in this GN that are quite hard to take in. For example on pg 105 of one of their friends being flogged with a whip for planning a party (under the new regime parties were forbiddance) and pg 51 shows her Uncle being tortured and branded with an iron. Whew, that was hard to look at. History can be ugly and makes uncomfortable but the truth must be told. Satrapi states the “images are a way of writing. When you have talent to both it seems a shame to have to choose. I think it better to do both” Satrapi does it very well combing graphics with a strong story liner.
I couldn’t put this book down. This memoir reminded of the power of storytelling and the affects it has n its readers.
This is memoir by Marjane Satrapi about growing up in Iran before, during and after the fall of Iran. She recalls her childhood with humor and straight up honesty she doesn’t pull any punches. The story is set in Persepolis Greek for “city of Persians” she lives her parents among a large extended family. Her parents are very modern with Marxist political affiliations. I don’t want to turn this into a book report just yet so I’m going to take a diversion real quick.
One of the questions asks on our midterm was do GN represent history accurately? I would say yes GN doe show us a side of history as told the eyes of the narrator. I remember the Iran conflict well. Satrapi story is similar to a book l read last year Bookshop of Kabul and Goya’s Story about female’s coming of age in Kabul during the oppressive regime. She recalls how she was stopped by the fashion police (that’s not their name but it was just as ridiculous) for not wearing appropriate Muslim clothing. At the time Satrapi had on air Jordon’s, jean jacket with a Michael Jackson button she used humor to try to get out trouble stating that the button represented Malcolm X(black Muslim leader) no go they were ready to take her down to police station and flog her, instead they gave her a stern lecture about being a whore and a slut.
Satrapi’s story appears to be a typical coming of age memoir. In one scene she describes how she wants an Iron Madden poster and cool shoes and then the next scene describes running for cover from the falling bombs. This novel is first person narrator so all the events are from Satrapi point of view. Her narrative style of story is both humorous and profound. One example are her on going dialogues with God who she graphically portrays as all –knowing wise man with a long white beard who appears to her nightly. She also does a realistic job of painting a picture of classis among their culture (Iran). I work with a lady who grew up in Persia and she has told me basically the same things Satrapi talks about such as middle class and educated Persians are very selective about who they marry, associate with and its ingrained so even if you want to branch out its hard because its an unspoken expectation.
This was both a visually appealing GN as well as emotional page turner. There are scenes in this GN that are quite hard to take in. For example on pg 105 of one of their friends being flogged with a whip for planning a party (under the new regime parties were forbiddance) and pg 51 shows her Uncle being tortured and branded with an iron. Whew, that was hard to look at. History can be ugly and makes uncomfortable but the truth must be told. Satrapi states the “images are a way of writing. When you have talent to both it seems a shame to have to choose. I think it better to do both” Satrapi does it very well combing graphics with a strong story liner.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Update on new GN and my trip to Zandua Comics
I made down to Zandua Comics on 3rd ave and what a fun experience. The book store has such ambience's. All the customers i seen with exception myself all looked like comic fanatics. Emily is the owner and she was real helpful. l told her i was interested in GN by women and she gave me her picks. So i brought Persepolis and an Anthology of women GN and i cant wait to begin. I plan on going back next week when i can really spend time and look around. I love book stores especially the funky/hip stores.
I just begun reading the GN Persepolis and so far I like it. The graphics are very basic but powerful. there is one scene where she is describing how Shah of Iran killed 400 students during a protest and she demonstrates the horror with a childlike drawing of ghost descending to heaven. I've only read about 30 pages so far but l can tell this is my kind of GN (history,politics, memoir)
I just begun reading the GN Persepolis and so far I like it. The graphics are very basic but powerful. there is one scene where she is describing how Shah of Iran killed 400 students during a protest and she demonstrates the horror with a childlike drawing of ghost descending to heaven. I've only read about 30 pages so far but l can tell this is my kind of GN (history,politics, memoir)
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