Are Graphic Novels Literature?

After much debating, I have decided that I think that graphic novels can be read as literature. At first, I was a little apprehensive to consider graphic novels as literature, because I thought that graphic novels were really just picture books for the older, nerdier demographic. After reading Persepolis and the other comics we were assigned to read, however, my opinion on graphic novels has shifted slightly. I thought that the comics we read did a really good job of expressing raw emotions and telling good stories. I also thought that Persepolis was a really good example of why graphic ovels should be considered literature. This graphic novel told a story almost as adeptly as any other form of prose could, and really had substantial characters. I almost think that the pictures in this novel added an element to the story that most normal novels do not have. I really think that graphic novels shouldbe considered literature, because they do the same thing that any other form of literature does. Graphic novels tell a story, and they take the reader on a journey. This graphic novel touched the reader and expressed more emotions than maybe some other "normal" novels. It is because of this that I think that graphic novels and comics can be considered literature.

Thoughts on "Persepolis"

After reading the memoir Persepolis, which is my first forray into the graphic novel genre, I have a greater appreciation for the comic book. Actually, I have a lot more appreciation for any method of story telling that is accompanied by an illustration. It was really interesting to read this author's story, and to look at her illustrations. I thought it was cool because these images served to show the reader every aspect of memory that the author had, not just to describe to the reader what was seen.

It is because of this that i think that the memoir is a perfectly suited for the graphic novel format. It adds a unique dimension to the story of the author. It allows every aspect of the story to be available for the audiences to consume. It also allows the author to present the full picture of what they have experienced, and this really adds a more intense element to the story. Instead of just interpreting a description of what was going on, readers are able to see what is happening through the perspective of the author. There were many things that were great to see and gain a full understanding of as opposed to just reading. One example is when Marji is just walking down the street and it is a line of men in black coats, literally touching shoulders as they are trying to sell her cassette tapes on the black market. That is something that the reader must see in order to comprehend.

I also thought that taking the history of these revolutions and oppressive governments in Iran and having these as the background for the memoir was interesting as well. It was fascinating to see these hefty, formidable moments in history juxtaposed with the story of an adolescent girl growing up. There are some things that happened that are much more toughing or much more fascinating when they are presented from Marji's perspective. The stories of the political prisoners that Marji knew were a lot more affective when you considered how Marji had known the families of these prisoners. Also the irritation and reluctance to accept the new religious government was a lot more understandable when we saw all the daily annoyances that Marji and her family had to endure. When Marji's family had to always run down into the basement for bomb scares and had to get black curtains so their neighbors wouldn't know that they had parties, readers saw how difficult it would hae been to live in Iran at this time. The story took on a new personal element with these little anecdotes, and the full weight of the oppression was felt. It was very interesting to see.

Overall, I really thought that this political history element really added an interesting dimension to this memoir. Likewise, I think that the graphic novel format really made for an interesting element as well. This was a really cool book, and I really enjoyed it.

Review of "The Ladies of Grace Adieu"

Last week, I really did not enjoy reading the short story "The Ladies of Grace Adieu." I was one of the students in class who were dismissing the story as terrible, and my argument for this was that I just "didn't like" the story. I was thinkning about it after class, and was trying to think of the reason why I simply did not like this story. After much thought and consideration I think that the reason why I did not like this story was because of the boring pace and the uninteresting characters of this story.

I do not think that there is one character in this story that I identified with or became attached to. I thought that although Casandra is supposed to be spunky and fiery, she just comes off as droll. And all of the other female characters are really boring, and I feel that everything that they say is just tedious to read. To be honest, I have no interest in reading the dull things that these dull characters have to say.

Questions about "Never Let Me Go"

While reading "Never Let Me Go," a lot of questions are raised about the existence of these future organ donors. Why are these students here? Why bother teaching these children? Why so much emphasis on art, and what is the significance of art? Why so much emphasis on sex?

I think that by considering these questions, we can see that all are related and have a very similar answer. The students are basically a commodity, and their organs and bodies are the most important parts of themselves, obviously. I think that everything in the students lives that is pleasing or encourages the student's intelligence is a means to create a more happy existence for the students. Afterall, the happier that these students may be, the healthier they may be as well. It is scientifically proven that attitude and outlook on life is directly correlated to the health of a person, so I believe that at Hailsham, the number one priority is to keep students happy, healthy, and safe.

I don't think that the art that these students are creating serves as evidence of the "human-ness" of these children. i think that the art can be seen as a therapeutic release for these children, a way of immersing themselves in a healthy activity that allows their mind to be stimulated. I think that the child's education and studies serves a similar purpose. The children learn about history, science, reading, writing, and arithmetic in an effort to stimulate their intellect. After all, it can be assumed that these guardians are connecting mental health with physical health.

I think this is also the reason so much emphasis is put on sex. Sexual intercourse is vital to the physical health of an individual. Ask any "Cosmopolitan" reader, people who have more sex are often healthier and happier.

So in the end, I think that everything that students engage in at Hailsham is a means to an end. I believe that the guardians are not really concerned with anything but the preservation and health of the student's organs, otherwise their job would have been in vain. Since happiness is directly correlated to healthiness, then it is a priority of the guardian's to ensure the student's happiness. I think this is the reason why art and studies and sex is so emphasized at Hailsham. Which is very good for the students, because they live a much better life than, say, free range poultry or grade A beef, which is basically what the students ultimately are. Everything is a means to an end to cultivate and collect healthy, thriving organs.