Frank:
In the “Acrostic” by Killoffer it is evident that there is a focus on an individual’s role in society. In this cartoon, the characters are questioning society and questioning the lives they have. “Should we run away?” and “Start over” are common questions that these characters ask themselves in this story. The characters in this cartoon are unsure of their roles in society and are unsure of what they exactly they want. They are unsure if they are contempt with their current lives or if they should move on and get a brand new chance. At first the characters feel that if they leave they will have a better life, but as the story moves on even if they do leave the characters feel that no matter what they are doomed. Throughout the cartoon these characters contemplate their role in society, do they belong in the society that they are currently in or do they belong somewhere else? The characters are unsure of where they belong and what society is right for them.
Jess:
In the “Acrostic” by Killoffer it is clear that individualism is a central theme in the cartoon. The people in the cartoon consistently express their confusion in society. Individualism, or rather the lack of individualism, is strong as each person expresses how they want to leave and being home is just like “dying”. The short phrases from each sequence shows how the confusion within the individuals is prevalent. It also shows how the individuals do not want to live in their “home” because they want to go somewhere where they can be expressive. As one of the characters said “coming home, is just like, dying”. Dying is equivalent to losing the identity of one’s identity. The characters are struggling to stand out and find a meaning in life. Without this meaning being home is like not being alive.
Lauren:
The first cartoon, “Kaspar” relates to how the individual’s role in society, specifically with regards to how one is expected to conform to society’s norms and obey authority and is a society in which difference is looked down upon. Everyday, the main character follows his everyday normal routine, such as waking up with a piece of bread by his side and him waiting a moment more to see if there is water in his jug after drinking it. Eventually, there comes a little man in black with a book who teaches the main character everything he is supposed to do in society based on what is expected and labeled as “societal norms.” The main character’s role is to adhere to these standards and behave in a way that is deemed appropriate in society. The man in black teaches the main character how to walk and also tries to train the main character to be a horseman like his father was. This exemplifies how the main characters role in society was that he was expected to follow authority and was not able to think or act in a way that was different from the norm.t At the end of At the end of the cartoon when the little man in black leaves the main character alone, the main character does not know how to think for himself now that there is no one to give him instruction/command. As a result, he stays standing where he is and is drawn in a forlorn and isolated manner, he is unsure of whether he is content with a life in which he is unable to think for himself.
Sharada:
“Kaspar”, by Diane Obomsawin , the first of the two graphic novels shows that individuals in society start by knowing nothing about how the world works and must learn through others, seen as the main character of the cartoon explains the small scope of knowledge about people he possesses at the beginning of the cartoon. The character explains how he would wake up to food and water, not knowing where it came from: “…Just as it didn’t occur to me that there could be anybody else outside me” (Obomsawin 4). This instance shows that since he did not see anyone bring him food and water, and no one told him how it got there, he had no idea to think that it came from somewhere else. This suggests that individuals cannot assume and understand concepts naturally, and that someone must come and show them. Just as Kasper did not know who brought him food, individuals must depend on others to show the m how the world works.
4 responses so far ↓
s.leatham // Apr 2nd 2016 at 11:01 am
I would agree with Frank and say that the characters in Acrostic are confused with what their place in society is and what they should do to make their life more fulfilling. I did get a sense that the male character seemed more reluctant to leave as he is the one crying at the table and the female is the one always standing at the window. When she finally leaves at the end, I felt she was ready to explore society and not just stay in her bubble in the house, even though she has no idea what awaits her.
JMERLE // Apr 2nd 2016 at 11:14 am
I congratulate this group on not only getting at some very important issues that are intrinsic to both of the graphic texts, but your use of quotations! Yes, using the words/images of the author to defend an argument will always give you much more credibility. I will point out your use of quotations on Wed. (hope you don’t mind) as, even though this time I didn’t expressly say, “Use quotations,” as I usually do, I want this to always be a part of your responses to texts. As well, you get to a more specific (and philosophic) point about these texts than simply noting that they are bleak and dark. Yes, there is a hint of Existentialism and, of course, Nihilism in all these texts.
Well done!
t.thompson1 // Apr 2nd 2016 at 11:31 am
I think you all made an excellent observation with regard to individualism being an underlying theme. I think Lauren makes a great point saying the role of Kaspar is to “adhere to these standards and behave in a way deemed appropriate by society”. Upon a second look, you realize he is actually content with his situation. It is the man in black who complicates his life. Kaspar had an understanding of who he was before he was taught how to conform. In the end, he was lost because he lost himself.
z.huang1 // Apr 2nd 2016 at 12:03 pm
In reply to Lauren:
I agree with your idea that the story of Kaspar shows how the individual one is expected to conform to society’s norms. I hold another angle of seeing this story. I believe that artist repeat many times about “the man in black”, “horseman like my father was” in order to illustrate how some people expect and force others to become whatever they wanted regardless of their own desire or feeling. The story is about a father instructing his child to become a horseman but he never cares about the child to an extreme that the child don’t even recognize him as a father.
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