Graphic Memoirs Come of Age

In Graphic Memoirs Come of Age, William Bradley offers his interpretation on the labeling of graphic works. Bradley offers a lucid argument as to why using the term graphic novel to describe works that are nonfiction is not appropriate. I like that Bradley uses many examples to support and strength his argument. Although unfamiliar with the works he discusses I was able to follow along with what Bradley was trying to prove. I think that in the text Bradley is very clear in his analysis of the elements necessary to call something graphic memoir, or “essayistic” graphic memoir, especially when he discusses Alison Bechdel’s, Are You My Mother?. He explains that Bechdel’s work is more of an analysis of her thoughts and influences, as opposed to a clear narrative. In making that distinction Bradley states that Are You My Mother? cannot be in the same category and labeled like other graphic memoirs. Bradley continues to say that, because are you my mother is in a different category of graphic works, it cannot be compared to other works that are classified differently. 

            Before having read Graphic Memoirs Come of Age I hadn't really thought about how important it actually is to properly categorize writing and not just bundle together texts. Honestly I think falsely categorizing a piece of writing, strips it of its individuality. 

American Born Chinese

I found the graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang to be very cute , and funny. Some aspects of it like the cloud used as a means of transportation , reminded me of a show I watched as a kid called Dragon Ball Z . I was at first having trouble figuring out how the contents of the novel relate to the title American Born Chinese. 

I do have one theory , I was thinking maybe the monkey king represents the American born Chinese and the novel portrays how he is trying to fit and changes his ways to fit in with the deities. one example of his changing his ways when he makes the rest of the monkeys wear shoes because shoes were the reason he wasn't allowed into the dinner party. I also liked how only when he returned to the monkeys did he notice the fur smell that he lived with all his life , differentiating him from the rest. 

Empowerment Through Mythological Imaginings in Warrior Women

I found it to be very interesting the way Johnston uses the example of dragons on page 140 to represent how different the Chinese and American mindsets are, and how the level of uncertainty and myth in life is much greater among the Chinese then Americans who according to Johnston are a "reductive" people and refuse accept any uncertainties. According to Johnston the American mindset have very little to no tolerance for that which is unknown , which is very different from the Chinese whose very lives revolve around myth and open ended stories.