“How to Read a Graphic Novel” by Dr.

Michael Chaney
Courtesy of Mr. Indelicato

Marjane Satrapi chooses a very unique genre, the graphic novel, to deliver her groundbreaking
autobiography detailing her experiences coming of age during a cultural revolution. Her choice
in genre may represent a powerful statement challenging Western values and attitudes. Only
recently have graphic novels shed their reputation as juvenile and unsophisticated--the genre of
children’s comic books. Graphic novels, however, have grown up and are quickly becoming a
highly respected genre garnering serious attention in growing numbers of literary circles.

Before we dive deeper into Satrapi’s personal memoir, we must first understand what is so
unique about this genre of writing and why it helps Satrapi reach and impact a much broader
audience. The video linked below is of a TEDx presentation by Dartmouth University professor
of English Michael Chaney. In it, Dr. Chaney explains the genre and educates students on how to
approach the reading of a graphic novel with a higher degree of acumen and sensitivity.

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Click the link below to watch the TEDx video introducing the graphic novel genre and
then respond to the following question:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAyEbgSPi9w&list=PLuOKd-ImGldfjY00evZhxnT
XlRko-GhYQ&index=4

After watching Dr. Michael Chaney’s TEDx video, what are four key takeaways that
will help you understand and appreciate the uniqueness of graphic novels as a modern
genre?

1. Graphic novels allow the readers/viewers to see social relations through the captions,
icons, panels, words, etc

2. The panels that the author implements may reveal complexities of identity in influence
through just one single panel, which is far more different than a movie.

3. Comics/Graphic novels are able to provide opportunities for identification which

means that the viewer/reader is able to interpret and participate in using their imagination.
Simple drawings allow for one to apply their own life/imagination, which creates a
connection between the reader and the comic.
4. Through comics, one learns to see and imagine for themselves, because the truth is
formatted in complex interrelation of words and images;n