Conventions of Graphic Novels

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Panel

the basic unit or segment of the comic, containing a combination of images and text in endless variety

Page Layout

The overall layout of a page, including the arrangement and flow of panels, contributes to the reading experience and can create specific effects or emphasize particular moments

Panel Structure

Satrapi uses different panel sizes and layouts to control pacing, emphasize certain moments, and guide the reader's attention

Size

The size of a panel can emphasize the importance of a scene or moment. Larger panels might slow the reading pace, allowing readers to absorb more details, while smaller panels might create a quicker pace

Composition

What is included or excluded in a panel can direct the reader’s attention and convey specific information or emotions

Background and Foreground

Analyzing what is placed in the background or foreground can provide insights into characters, settings, and themes

Framing and Composition

The way Satrapi frames her scenes and composes her images can give additional meaning, directing the reader's attention and setting the tone

Gutters

Gutters are spaces between comic or graphic novel panels. In "Persepolis," gutters play a vital role in the narrative's pacing and the reader's interpretation of time and space. Using gutters can create a sense of pause or movement, allowing readers to connect panels

Nonlinear Storytelling

The novel's visual structure allows for nonlinear storytelling, where flashbacks or simultaneous events can be portrayed seamlessly

Visual Pathway

How readers are guided through the page through panel arrangement and visual cues impacts the reading experience

Black-and-White Artwork

The stark black-and-white imagery in "Persepolis" communicates strong contrasts and emphasizes themes like oppression and revolution

Visual Perspective

Different angles and perspectives in the imagery can create varying emotional impacts, such as a bird's-eye view to show disconnection or a close-up to highlight emotion

Framing

In "Persepolis," framing is used to direct attention, emphasize specific elements, and control the narrative's tone. For example, a close-up frame of a character's face could convey intimacy or intensity, while a wide frame may provide context or create a feeling of distance

Labels

Labels in "Persepolis" may be used to identify characters, locations or provide additional information or context. Analyzing the use of labels can lead to a better understanding of how Satrapi guides the reader’s interpretation and ensures clarity

Shape and Style

The shape and style of speech bubbles can convey different types of communication. For example, jagged bubbles might represent shouting, while cloud-like bubbles might indicate thought

Tail Direction

The direction of the tails in speech bubbles indicates who is speaking. Examining how these are used can lead to insights into character interaction and narrative flow

Content

The text within speech bubbles reveals the character's voice, personality, and emotion. Analyzing the dialogue alongside visual elements can provide a richer understanding of character development

Type and Size

Different fonts or changes in font size can emphasize particular words or phrases, express emotion, or represent different voices or sounds

Bold and Italics

These variations can add additional layers of meaning or emphasis to the text

Captions

These may be used to provide narration, background information, or characters' inner thoughts

Silent Panels

Panels without any text or dialogue can be powerful in conveying meaning through visuals alone

Sound Effects

Although a visual medium, "Persepolis" may use visual representations of sound, such as onomatopoeia, to enhance the sensory experience

Point of View

Examining the point of view involves understanding who is "seeing" or narrating the story. In "Persepolis," the perspective is predominantly Marji's, and understanding how her point of view shapes the story can lead to a richer interpretation of the text

Camera Angle

Though there's no physical camera in graphic novels, the term refers to the visual perspective from which a scene is depicted. Analyzing "camera angles" can reveal how Satrapi wants the reader to engage with a particular scene, character, or idea

Camera Distance

Similar to camera angles, "camera distance" in graphic novels refers to how close or far the viewer is positioned from the subject of the panel. Close-ups might reveal emotional details, while long shots might provide context or show isolation

Graphic Weight

This term refers to the amount of visual contrast and detail in different parts of an image. In "Persepolis," graphic weight can draw attention to specific elements, create mood, or add depth to the characters and themes

Use of Negative Space

Satrapi's strategic use of white or negative space can emphasize isolation, insignificance, or other thematic elements

Line Quality

Using lines in "Persepolis" can convey different emotions and ideas. For example, jagged lines might be used to signify tension, while smooth lines might convey calm

Body Language and Facial Expressions

The way characters are drawn in terms of their body language and facial expressions conveys information about their emotions and reactions

Emanata

Emanata are lines or symbols that emanate from characters or objects to indicate emotions or states of being. In "Persepolis," they can be used to express characters' feelings or thoughts without the need for words. For example, lines above a character's head might signify surprise or confusion, giving a visual cue to the reader

Cultural Iconography

Satrapi includes specific cultural symbols and iconography to root the story in its Iranian context, giving insight into Persian culture and history

Symbolism

Satrapi frequently employs visual symbols to represent complex ideas, such as swans symbolizing freedom or veils representing oppression

Visual Metaphors and Similes

Satrapi uses visual metaphors and similes to convey abstract concepts to represent her growth and development

Interplay of Text and Image

There is a careful balance and interplay between text and image in "Persepolis." The images often expand upon the text, providing a deeper, more nuanced understanding

Juxtaposition

By placing certain images or scenes next to each other, Satrapi creates connections, contrasts, and emotional effects that wouldn't be possible through text alone

Contrasts and Dichotomies

The visual contrasts within the novel, particularly the black-and-white palette, often mirror thematic contrasts such as good vs. evil, freedom vs. oppression, etc

Repetition and Motifs

Visual motifs repeated throughout the novel can help reinforce themes or symbolize recurring concepts, such as the repeated imagery of veils

Visual Irony

Satrapi occasionally employs visual irony, where the imagery conveys meaning in opposition to the text, creating a layered understanding of the scene

Visual Metonymy

Satrapi occasionally uses one thing to stand in for something else within the same context, a technique that requires careful observation and interpretation

Intertextuality

References to other texts, images, or historical events might be embedded within the visuals, adding layers of meaning for those who recognize them

Ambiguity in Visuals

Satrapi may intentionally create ambiguity in her visuals, requiring the reader to engage actively with the text to interpret meaning