Graphic+Novels

I wanted to reflect a little bit on the Graphic Novel, Persepolis, as well as the genre of Graphic Novels. What's most striking (visually) in Persepollis is the voice presented to the reader through imagery. We learned that the story is told through the eyes of a young girl, who is experiencing change in Iran, death, violence, social differences, as well as her relationship with God. All of these issues are presented to us visually through a child's perspective, and I find that Marji's pain, anguish, misery and even times of happiness hit me hard and captivate me, through her the visual presentation of her feelings. Here's some examples: On page 54 we see her uncle Anoosh represented with a shining sphere placed around his head, that stresses his importance to her. On page 71 we learn that Anoosh is executed.

"And so I was lost, without any bearing...What could be worse than that?"

VIsually see her Marji feeling lost through the depiction of her floating in the middle of the emptiness of space. Her facial details (even though they are minimal) shows us the feeling that she lost a part of herself.

I found that the power that can exist through visual storytelling in graphic novels, strikes the reader in a way a different way. I don't want to see it's more profound than written text, but I'll say it has more of a potential to engage a reader and have that reader better understand a character's voice, thoughts, etc. especially through reading a story that told through a young girl's eyes.

Just some thought, I wanted to share.

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