In class we were discussing why we think Marji Satrapi chose to tell her story in graphic novel form. Personally I feel that a graphic novel is more fun to read. When you read a graphic novel or comic you can feel the pace of the story. Since there isn't as much text on a page as a normal book you are flipping pages more often and you feel a greater sense of progression through the story. I also feel that the pictures give you more of a context to her story. You are seeing what the author has envisioned, instead of imagining the scenery and characters you are shown them through Marji's eyes.
Because the first part of the novel is based in Iran I feel that it greatly benefits being a graphic novel. When I think about Iran I don't think of a well established and industrialized society. Having pictures go along with the scenes give the reader the ability to look into a different world then what they might have visualized as Iran. This also allows the reader to immerse themselves in this world, and it is especially important for this story because so far it has taken place in a country many of us have negative views about. I also think the graphic novel format gives the author more tools to grip the reader, because you see the characters, there expressions, and the environment they live in. This story deals with a lot of different societal issues and by illustrating them through text and pictures it can introduce a broader audience to a country that they may don't know much about.
Zachary Lewkowicz
-Post 7 June 16-
I agree with Zachary here. By putting this story in comic form Sstrapi added a very personal touch to it- especially considering she did the artwork to it. Along with the more obvious reason of it makes it more enjoyable to read and it shows us how she saw everything, I believe there are other reasons as to why she decided to publish her story like this. First of all many people, especially in America, have such a negative view of Iran and the middle east as a whole. The media today has brainwashed many people into developing racist feelings towards that area. They basically show you all the destruction and war going on over there. They even go as far as calling them insurgents. Right there they demote them as a people and give such a negative connotation everyone picks up when watching the news and stuff. Everything we see is bad, which starts of the prejudice (preconceived notion due to lack of information-haha). We begin to think all the bad things are true because thats all we see. But I digress. I believe Satrapi, knowing this decided to illustrate everything so we could get the whole picture. She shows us things that the media doesn't show us and we get to see for ourselves what really happened, like a behind the scenes tour.
ReplyDeleteAlso this general genre of books, the Art Comics (ethos) is generally something read by the modern generation. Older people are, in my opinion, stuck in their ways and tend to be more unwilling to change their views on everything. The younger generation is more open minded in that sense and also happens to be more likely to read a comic than the elderly. This opens up the possibility that today's youth will change tomorrows future. Basically I feel by making it an art comic, Satrapi was aiming at the younger demographic in an attempt to enlighten them to try and create a brighter future with less resentment, racism, and hostility. But that's just my 2 cents.
-adolfo