The Influence of Graphic Novels on Children
How Graphic Novels appeal to the child in us One can categorize childish aspects as immature and foolish, but on the other end, one can also categorize maturity as serious and wise. However, when it comes down to determining where Graphic Novels results in, one cannot ultimately place the genre entirely in only one section. Graphic novels are known for their expressive graphical images which provide a basis for the reader to reflect upon while captivating the reader’s attention and interest by using entertaining yet meaningful images. A common misconception about graphic novels is that they are generally mistaken for comic books.
The only similarity that both of them have is that they show a story through images to fully express the author’s meaning. Aside from that, Graphic Novels are larger literary works while Comic Books are smaller works with a higher fantasy concentration. An example of this is in the Graphic Novel V for Vendetta versus a commonly known Comic Book the Adventure of the Amazing Spiderman. In the graphic novel, the storyline is more complicated with deep meanings in each image while the Comic Book is more expressive and comedic. As Charles Mcgrath argues, “The best graphic novels don’t take themselves seriously” however he also sees a realistic aspect to Graphic Novels judging by his quote, “turns some line, dots and squiggles into a face or a figure.” With that being said, graphic novels have a place in classrooms as they appeal to not only a small childish aspect that we still have within us, but a creative and realistic part of ourselves.
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As Graphic Novels don’t follow the stricter model as most higher-rated written literature books such as Shakespeare, they can reflect a higher interest in students who want a new and interesting style of readings. In the book “V for Vendetta” by Alan Moore (1989), the story takes the path of following an antagonist in the eyes of a self-proclaimed perfect government. Throughout the story, the protagonist by the nickname of V reveals inhumane attempts at overthrowing the government and achieves his goal by causing a new revolution using examples of previous historical events from old writings.
An example of the graphic novel using images uncommon within written literature would be on page 35, where the emotions are expressed in a greater manner. The expression is used to show the severity of the events unfolding to the character, in this case Prothero, and how it truly impacts the progression of the story. The images can be used to captivate the reader to reflect upon the previously written words aside from the image cells in order to fully understand what the author could be trying to say. Graphic Novels don’t just take on the childish aspect of individuals, but can also affect the mature aspect of us too.
Although graphic novels have childish aspects due to them having images used to express what the author is trying to say, they can have a serious tone that can still instill a professional tone towards the reader. An example of the Graphic Novel using actual non-fiction literature is the following quote when the protagonist in V for Vendetta imitates a scene from Macbeth, “The multiplying villainies of nature do swarm upon him and fortune, on his damned quarrel, smiling, showed like a rebel’s whore” (12). The reader at this point is simultaneously taking in what the images are being expressed to do while comprehending the text.
This leads to further understanding of the book and still captures our attention to notice the pictures before we notice the words. On page 85, the text is referring to motives of his actions that the protagonist does while the images show a subliminal message separate to the text which leads to a different story which becomes relevant in understanding V. This is crucial in an academic classroom because it appeals to both visual and auditory readers as it can teach them at their comfort level effectively. Keeping the reader interested in the book leads to one finishing the book and knowing the story rather than giving up on it.
Disregarding a series because it has childish aspects could prevent students from challenging themselves in a different manner they haven’t seen before. Graphic Novels in academic classrooms can be used to show the students different ways, and contain a multitude of literary devices such as Imagery and Symbolism. We can use this to our advantage to create a new perspective of literature and remaining open to new while maintaining the integrity of written literature.
The Influence of Graphic Novels on Children. (2023, Mar 11). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/the-influence-of-graphic-novels-on-children/Cite this Page
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