So, this is my first post starting a new module - this time it's Graphic Fiction. I've been waiting a long time to do this module and I am really excited to get going and learn more about this unique but very human way of communicating
As part of the introduction to the module, there are a number of early exercises to get students into the swing of things. Thankfully a lot of those items were very familiar to me from my previous modules, so this exercise is the first to write up into the learning log.
I was introduced to a number of characters that I will meet later in the module:
Batman
Peanuts (Charlie Brown and Snoopy)
The Adventures of Tintin
The X-Men
Rupert Bear
I was asked to choose one of these characters and find a story that features them. Luckily, on my shelves sits a copy of The Blue Lotus [1] from when I was a child. Flicking through one of my favourite childhood books, I resisted the temptation to get immersed and read the whole thing! I settled on one passage, on page 43. The passage depicts the hero, Tintin saving a young Chinese boy, and the start of their friendship. The exercise asked me to analyse the section, and consider its qualities and design elements, and then to summarise my findings in 50 words or less!
There are 18 small panels arranged in four rows on the page. Each panel depicts a story scene. The panels showing Tintin saving the boy have no words. Once safe on shore the panels use text to show their conversation. The author uses different panels for dialogue, voiceover and exposition. - 50 words exactly!
The next part was to write how I relate to the work, again in 50 words or less:
I'm drawn to Tintin's spirit of adventure, curiosity and kindness. I like this passage because of how Hergé uses the rescue for social commentary. I find this challenging when juxtaposed against the racial caricature of the Japanese characters in later panels. It's like a time capsule into 1930s sensibilities. - 49 words... phew!
This was a really nice introduction to the module, and it was really nice to get back into the swing of things writing in my learning log. What I found most surprising was how I saw parts of this story as if for the first time. Taking an analytical approach to the work, it really made me consider the content in contexts other than the story itself. I was uncomfortable flicking through the book and seeing the prejudices laid bare, especially given the events of 2020. It made me question how this relates to things like monuments of slavers being torn down - should we be consigning books like this to archives, or is there a place to still enjoy them as a story, with the knowledge that they are a time capsule into historical bias and prejudice.
Would I still be happy for my son to read this without some kind of discussion afterwards? I don't think I would and certainly would prefer him to read this when he can understand the narrative's context.
References
Hergé, 1989. The Adventures Of Tintin: The Blue Lotus. 4th ed. London: Magnet Books, p.43.
Post cover image © 1946 Éditions Casterman, used under educational fair use policy
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