GRAPHIC FICTION
“What is the use of a book,” thought Alice, “without pictures?” —Lewis Carroll
LETTERS AND PICTURES
1. What is Literature Made Of?
● The root word “literature” comes from littera, Latin for “letter.”
● Traditionally, to be literate means to read and understand written letters.
● But we also use the term “visual literacy” to describe the ability to understand visual
storytelling, like comics, graphic novels, or illustrated narratives.
2. You Already “Read” Pictures (Even If You Don’t Realize It)
● Comic strips train us in visual storytelling:
○ Read from left to right (or right to left in some cultures).
○ Each box or panel represents a moment in time.
○ Gestures and facial expressions show actions and emotions.
○ Speech balloons, thought bubbles, and symbolic images (like "@#%!" for
cursing) convey dialogue and feeling.
○ Visual shortcuts (like a tree for outdoors, or the Capitol for Washington,
D.C.) quickly establish setting.
3. But Pictures Alone Have Limits
● While the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” pictures struggle to
tell complex stories without words.
● Example: The story of King Solomon and the two mothers.
○ You could draw scenes of conflict, swords, and the infant, but without words,
you’d miss the moral message:
■ A true mother would rather give up her child than see it harmed.
■ Solomon's judgment shows his wisdom.
● So, even powerful pictures often rely on pre-existing knowledge to make full
sense.
4. Historical Context
● In the Middle Ages, stained glass windows in churches served as “the Bible of the
people”—but viewers could only understand them if they already knew the biblical
stories.
● Same goes for Trajan’s Column or the Bayeux Tapestry—these visual records
depict events, but you need background knowledge to truly follow the narrative.
Final Thought:
Visual storytelling is powerful—but words provide clarity, interpretation, and moral
meaning. To truly understand picture-based narratives (like comics or graphic novels),
readers need to be both visually literate and aware of the story’s context.
TOPIC FOR WRITING
- A Story Behind American Gothic
At first glance, American Gothic looks like a solemn portrait — a farmer and his daughter (or
maybe his wife?) standing sternly before their home. Their expressions are unreadable: not
angry, not sad, but guarded. The man clutches a pitchfork like it’s both a tool and a shield.
The woman looks slightly away, distant.
And that’s where the story begins.
- Narrative: The Day After the Bank Came
The couple had just received news that the bank might take the farm. It was the third year of
drought. Crops had failed. Livestock had died. And now, after generations of labor, they were
on the verge of losing everything. But they weren’t going to show defeat.
This portrait — taken by a traveling photographer — was their way of saying, We’re still
here. It was a quiet protest, a vow of resilience. She wore her best apron. He stood tall,
pitchfork in hand. And behind them, the pointed arch window glinted with the last light of day
— a reminder of the faith that had kept them going.
The picture doesn’t show tears or fear — but if you look closely, you can feel the weight of
everything that’s unspoken.
READING AN IMAGE: A SHORT STORY TOLD IN ONE PANEL
1. Visual + Verbal = Storytelling Synergy
● The text provides narrative structure and internal progression (e.g., time passing,
motivations, plot twist).
● The image offers character, tone, and immediacy, sometimes adding emotion or
humor that words alone can’t deliver.
● The story is not just text with illustration; it’s a hybrid form of storytelling.
2. Subtle Shifts Build Tension and Humor
● The story opens with a whimsical, vague setup (“One day... somewhere”) and quickly
escalates with urgency (“In eight seconds…”).
● The surprise is softened by a mundane anticlimax — the battery dies. But then it's
followed by a second twist: the calculator isn’t even noticed for two weeks. This quiet
punchline adds depth and irony.
3. Themes with Depth Beneath the Humor
● It parodies technological anxiety, a real-world fear, but undercuts it with comic futility.
● It reflects on ambition, significance, and mortality — echoing even grand literary
themes (as in the Shakespeare comparison).
4. The Image Adds Life
● The two little eyes in the calculator transform it from machine to character — it
becomes “someone,” not just something.
● The face makes the narrative emotionally resonant and immediately readable.
