FieldYALITLENS5

Susan Field 30 March, 2011

** Reader-Response for __Persepolis__  ** What struck me most about __Persepolis__ was that I enjoyed reading a graphic novel! It was a revelation! Prior to __Persepolis__, I was not familiar with the graphic novel genre, and had never considered reading one, let alone picking one up and flipping through it. When I had heard people talk about graphic novels in the past, I thought that the term “graphic” referred to detailed, realistic descriptions. I know this sounds naïve, and kind of humorous now that I look back, but considering I’d never been exposed to graphic novels before, I was merely making a guess. I never bothered to ask anyone what “graphic” meant. If I had, then I would have realized that the term is used literally and refers to a story told through pictures. (It’s amazing what you don’t know because you don’t ask, or what you find out when you do!)

When I found out that we were reading a graphic novel in class, I was wary at first, since it was unchartered territory, but I was pleasantly surprised. The concept and power of the genre really came alive for me the day we discussed graphic novels for the first time in class last week. In having the opportunity to draw a comic of my own to tell a story from my past, and to convey the emotions I felt, I suddenly appreciated the art of the graphic novel so much more. People may scoff at graphic novels because they are pictorial, but they have no idea how difficult it is to tell a story without using a lot of words. Not only that, but in learning some of the tricks of the trade in the __Understanding Comics__ book by Scott McCloud, I discovered that the beauty of graphic novels is that one picture can be interpreted in multiple ways, varying from person to person based on their experiences and perspectives. This is not unlike reactions to traditional literature, however, the physical manifestation of words on a page is so unique, and in some cases, could appeal to more readers.

I can see young adults really connecting with graphic novels because for one thing, they are nothing like the dry canonical classics that are part of the required English curriculums. The sheer novelty (no pun intended) of a unique approach to story telling would likely be appreciated by students. Using graphics to tell a story also appeals to those students who are visual learners. In addition, graphic novels are an echo from childhood, when many of us liked to read comic books, or the funnies in the Sunday paper (unless that’s not popular anymore?), so in turn, reading the novel ends up feeling like a throwback to youth, which is always enjoyable. Who doesn’t like feeling like a kid again?

Now that I’ve been exposed to graphic novels, can understand their strengths (and also limitations), I’m certainly more inclined to read more in the future. I’ve already been looking into a few titles that I might want to read when the semester is over. I also think that I’d like to encourage my future students to read graphic novels, as well. I wish I had been introduced to them earlier. It’s important to know what genres of literature are out there so that you, as a student, and a reader for pleasure, know what your options are—and what your options aren’t so you can create something to fill the void!

The power of __Persepolis__ for me was in looking at the pictures, I felt that I was going on the journey of growing up in revolutionary Iran right along with the narrator. I could see the expressions on her face, see the expressions on her parent’s faces, and feel as though I was in the center of the action. This graphic novel, as I’d imagine with all of them, give readers a unique opportunity to not only read about a situation, but to experience it. Many scenes in the book stood out to me, including the picture of all the people killed after the massacre on pg. 40, the close-up picture of two faces on pg. 218, and the bombing on pg. 254. When you read traditional literature, you can imagine how a scene or a character looks, but in this graphic novel, you don’t get to imagine how things looked, you get to see it as the writer/artist wants you to see it. I don’t know if that’s as much fun as imagining something on your own, but it’s nonetheless powerful and effective.

Reading, or should I say, viewing, __Persepolis__ was a refreshing literary departure for me that I thoroughly enjoyed. This novel has made me think of literature in broader terms. Before this class, I would have never put a graphic novel in the same category as a traditional literature novel, such as, __The Scarlett Letter__, but now I believe that graphic novels are just as legitimate, valuable, and didactic as anything else in the canon—but much more fun. Thanks for introducing me to graphic novels!