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Title Graphic Narratives and Sociopolitical Discourse: A Critical Study of the Selected Graphic Novels of Joe Sacco and Malik Sajad

Author(s) Mahrukh Khan

Abstract This research deals with graphic narratives whose multimodality characterizes their genre, meaning that graphic narratives have a unique form of storytelling that combines both visual and textual elements to convey meaningful narratives. The current research, keeping in view this unique aspect of graphic narratives, analyzes two graphic texts Paying the Land (2020) by Joe Sacco and Munnu: A Boy from Kashmir (2015) by Malik Sajad. These are analyzed in the light of the theoretical framework developed from the works of comic and political theorists to address socio-political issues in two different geospatial contexts. The analysis follows two trajectories. Firstly, it focuses on their medium-specific combination of verbal-visual features such as frames, panels, graphic style, and page layout, to name a few, and secondly, how these graphic novels frame the socio-political stance on the documented crisis. Paying the Land is particularly analyzed for its subversion of dominant political discourse regarding Dene in Canada, and Munnu for problematizing the sociopolitical violence in Kashmir via the medium of comics. The findings suggest that Paying the Land brings to fore an alternate discourse regarding the Dene crisis in Canada foregrounding the importance of indigenous perspectives, agency, and cultural resilience. Through its multimodal aesthetics, it not only acts as a vehicle for truth-telling but also advocates indigenous rights and self-determination. Findings also suggest that Munnu serves as a powerful critique of sociopolitical violence in Kashmir owing to its graphic novel format. The discussion is expanded beyond this to account for how the documented crises are framed to influence readers to form a certain perspective of reality and to encourage their active engagement for the cause that graphic narratives represent. The visual culture of graphic novels is thus addressed establishing that it plays a significant role in highlighting and disseminating global issues. Through their unique combination of visual-verbal aesthetics, and storytelling techniques, graphic narratives engage, raise awareness, inspire action, and create solidarities of marginalized voices at a transnational level.

Type Thesis/Dissertation

Faculty Languages

Department English

Language English

Publication Date 2024-07-12

Subject Literature

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