Graphic Novels
“The developing online culture has acclimated people to dealing with a multimedia world. We are used to visiting sites that have text, picture, and sound clips in a single document” (Hayn & Kaplan 173)
"As I think more about comics through making them, researching on them, and now teaching them, I see their capacities for multi-layered, tangential, and multimodal narratives as truly unique and distinct from other media. An important concept I've been playing with recently is that comics in many ways mirror "the shape of our thoughts" in ways that a lined sheet of paper is quite limited in representing or facilitating. I think an education that embraces the multiple ways we think and that our ideas take shape is one that allows students to more fully explore the possibilities for expression and opens pathways for them to find their own way" -An interview with Nick Sousanis (Bakis)
"As I think more about comics through making them, researching on them, and now teaching them, I see their capacities for multi-layered, tangential, and multimodal narratives as truly unique and distinct from other media. An important concept I've been playing with recently is that comics in many ways mirror "the shape of our thoughts" in ways that a lined sheet of paper is quite limited in representing or facilitating. I think an education that embraces the multiple ways we think and that our ideas take shape is one that allows students to more fully explore the possibilities for expression and opens pathways for them to find their own way" -An interview with Nick Sousanis (Bakis)
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
*****
Persepolis introduces American readers to a culture they are most likely unfamiliar with. The story takes place during the Islamic Revolution yet main character Marji could, under different circumstances, be any typical teen. She loves music and fashion, argues with her parents, and cares a great deal about her friends. Yet, she faces the harsh realities of torture, unjust government, and violent crimes. This graphic novel gives readers insight into a life that is very different from their own. It offers perspective while fighting stereotypes.
Questions to consider:
*****
Persepolis introduces American readers to a culture they are most likely unfamiliar with. The story takes place during the Islamic Revolution yet main character Marji could, under different circumstances, be any typical teen. She loves music and fashion, argues with her parents, and cares a great deal about her friends. Yet, she faces the harsh realities of torture, unjust government, and violent crimes. This graphic novel gives readers insight into a life that is very different from their own. It offers perspective while fighting stereotypes.
Questions to consider:
- How do you think the novel would be experienced differently were it not written in graphic novel form? How do the images add to or take away from Marji's story?
- Does this story change the way you think about this culture? Do you feel more informed or do your original impressions hold?
- What did you make of the adults in this novel? Did they seem to be trying to protect Marji and the adolescents in the book? Did they succeed?
- How were women portrayed in Persepolis? Do you think they were shown as strong or weak?
- Create a chapter of an important event in your life through graphic novel form. This can be hand drawn or done with computer animation. Consider frames and the layout of image and text when creating your chapter (how do they shape your story?)