General Discussion

DetlefK

(16,423 posts)

23. graphic novel =/= comic book

Mon Aug 24, 2015, 09:51 AM

Aug 2015

The medium (a series of images and text) is the same, but the content is different. That's like sorting all movies into the two classical theater-play categories of comedy and drama.
Comics are light entertainment. Graphic novels tell deep stories. That's the difference.

For example: The "Rohrschach"-issue from the "Watchmen"-series.
A Rohrschach-image is mirror-symmetric. In this issue the panels on each double-page were mirror-symmetric. The layout of the novel itself mirrored the artistic content! You won't find that in "comic books". This is attention to detail and message.

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College Students Refuse To Read Award-Winning Novel Because It Violates Their Christian Beliefs [View all] riversedge Aug 2015 OP

Reading violates their beliefs? Iggo Aug 2015 #1

At least they're merely abstaining. The current trend is for social media mobs to demand censorship. Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #5

Exactly Johnny2X2X Aug 2015 #70

They probably only got into Duke as a legacy Blue_Tires Aug 2015 #33

For some, LWolf Aug 2015 #51

LOL...then why go to college? Iggo Aug 2015 #54

My thought exactly. Duke is pretty expensive. yardwork Aug 2015 #59

Because they want the paper. LWolf Aug 2015 #69

They want the hunk of paper for the good job Warpy Aug 2015 #152

It's not the reading. It's the graphic images. thesquanderer Aug 2015 #67

Fail the course, period! In college, you are supposed to be adults, developing critical thought! nt TheBlackAdder Aug 2015 #79

This was not a course assignment, ProgressiveEconomist Aug 2015 #128

"Christians" define themselves by their level of insulation from "the gay" Betty Karlson Aug 2015 #108

The book, a fine one, is all about questioning dogma. Orsino Aug 2015 #109

They can't even be bothered to read the bible awoke_in_2003 Aug 2015 #148

It sounds like it could be a continuation of the lifestyle in their home. bulloney Aug 2015 #160

Then give 'em a zero Gman Aug 2015 #2

Yep. Zero for that assignment. ladyVet Aug 2015 #32

That should be a nationwide rule. Jamastiene Aug 2015 #151

That's what I'd say too Bettie Aug 2015 #61

+1 sinkingfeeling Aug 2015 #71

I disagree ejbr Aug 2015 #104

That works too. Gman Aug 2015 #119

.... ejbr Aug 2015 #137

Poor reasoning for college students. earthside Aug 2015 #3

Best to use the right term - graphic novel Blue_Adept Aug 2015 #6

"In its review, the New York Times called it 'a comic book for lovers of words.'” mahatmakanejeeves Aug 2015 #49

your well-informed, intelligent critique clearly indicates TheSarcastinator Aug 2015 #18

I think the subject matter is very important alarimer Aug 2015 #21

graphic novel =/= comic book DetlefK Aug 2015 #23

It's right on the cover of 'Fun Home'. earthside Aug 2015 #27

That distinction is pointless, arbitrary and self-serving Orrex Aug 2015 #82

And "science-fiction" used to be called "scientific romance". DetlefK Aug 2015 #95

Science fiction was also called "s/f," "sci-fi" and "scientifiction," while we're at it. Orrex Aug 2015 #103

As I said, I draw the line at the nature of the content. DetlefK Aug 2015 #107

That, too, is arbitrary. Not to mention hopelessly subjective. Orrex Aug 2015 #113

You're making the same mistake these students are making. surrealAmerican Aug 2015 #28

I judge books all the time. earthside Aug 2015 #38

So you judge books without having read them starroute Aug 2015 #106

What a beautifull merging of image and words. RadiationTherapy Aug 2015 #126

TY for the link. I have Maus and In The Shadow of No Towers by Spiegelman, also Persepolis.... Hekate Aug 2015 #139

Yawn. Hissyspit Aug 2015 #31

me too Puzzledtraveller Aug 2015 #125

For what it's worth, I've actually read it... beerandjesus Aug 2015 #52

I actually read the book, and I would not call it trashy. yardwork Aug 2015 #53

Jinx! beerandjesus Aug 2015 #55

Lol! yardwork Aug 2015 #57

...and done in a medium best suited to someone who is both Rhythm Aug 2015 #111

it is not trash. far from it. it's brilliant and funny and sad cali Aug 2015 #60

that "trash" won five tonys. niyad Aug 2015 #93

Well, "Maus" is just a comic book then, also. haele Aug 2015 #122

So a prose novel can be art, a drawing can be art, a film can be art, Codeine Aug 2015 #145

Fail them and kick them out malaise Aug 2015 #4

Yes, because all must conform to received wisdom -- especially at college. Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #7

I would expect any student to write, on their own, some sort of critique KittyWampus Aug 2015 #10

But that's not how colleges work anymore. Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #20

some preach 'tolerance' for everything...but dissent HFRN Aug 2015 #89

They bastardize the virtue of tolerance to enforce the vice of their own tribalism. nt Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #97

If you don't do the job you don't keep the job Blue_Adept Aug 2015 #11

They don't have to conform to anything tkmorris Aug 2015 #16

"They can rip the bloody thing to shreds if they desire" Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #22

They are freshman Generic Other Aug 2015 #83

What on earth? This isn't coursework, it's a sexually explicit novel assigned to incoming freshmen Yo_Mama Aug 2015 #132

They should read it and then criticize during discussion. no_hypocrisy Aug 2015 #8

Exactly. College professors already lament incoming students have poor writing skills KittyWampus Aug 2015 #12

In college, I once withheld my "homework" in musical composition because I felt it was inferior. no_hypocrisy Aug 2015 #14

Trying and failing. Taking your "lumps". That's how you learn. I am really good KittyWampus Aug 2015 #44

Educashun is hard. progressoid Aug 2015 #9

Have them read Josh Duggar's Memoirs instead! Good Christian stuff! likesmountains 52 Aug 2015 #13

Do they read menus that mention pork? DetlefK Aug 2015 #15

Interesting reading this thread responses pipoman Aug 2015 #17

Yes, I truly am becoming scared riversedge Aug 2015 #19

My how times have changed TexasProgresive Aug 2015 #24

I'm assigning a memoir of a trans nun in the 17th century. a la izquierda Aug 2015 #41

In this case a la izquierda you are TexasProgresive Aug 2015 #50

Thanks! a la izquierda Aug 2015 #85

^^^ THIS! ^^^ Rhythm Aug 2015 #112

Title and author please? I need to add to my summer reading list! Hekate Aug 2015 #138

This one is called _The Lieutenant Nun_ a la izquierda Aug 2015 #144

Their beliefs must be pretty fragile, then, to be challenged by any one work. alarimer Aug 2015 #25

These people are taught that the Devil is always trying their faith. ladyVet Aug 2015 #40

It was a summer reading assignment for incoming first year students. yardwork Aug 2015 #161

I thought the punchline was going to be "The New Testament" fbc Aug 2015 #26

As a basketball fan let me just chime in underpants Aug 2015 #29

I hear Liberty University has a few openings. CanonRay Aug 2015 #30

I will admit, that novel does not sound like anything I would myself SheilaT Aug 2015 #34

Maybe they didn't think it would cause an uproar TexasBushwhacker Aug 2015 #43

stupid teens that have been brainwashed LittleGirl Aug 2015 #35

We had a couple of students like this when I went to college TlalocW Aug 2015 #36

The professor picks the reading material not the students Botany Aug 2015 #37

This wasn't a book assigned by a professor... EL34x4 Aug 2015 #45

And it is not graded. Students can decline to read it. yardwork Aug 2015 #56

If you are going to go to a college it is a good idea to read the books that your college wants you Botany Aug 2015 #80

Fun Home goes to Broadway Bluenorthwest Aug 2015 #39

this op honestly comes off as christian bashing retrowire Aug 2015 #42

There is no bashing anywhere in the OP tabasco Aug 2015 #48

then why make a show out of this? why is it worth talking about? retrowire Aug 2015 #74

Because it's interesting when people pay to go to college presumably to get a well-rounded education tabasco Aug 2015 #116

why the text shouting lol? retrowire Aug 2015 #117

Perhaps you missed the first sentence in the linked article: tabasco Aug 2015 #118

you are the Puritan Psephos Aug 2015 #135

No, it's idiot-bashing. bvf Aug 2015 #64

With all due respect, that's nonsense. yardwork Aug 2015 #65

Not quite Orrex Aug 2015 #66

i agree to accepting the penalty for not doing it n/t retrowire Aug 2015 #75

it's their right to fail a class, yes, they don't have a right to get a passing grade geek tragedy Aug 2015 #77

agreed. n/t retrowire Aug 2015 #78

It's optional summer reading LittleBlue Aug 2015 #158

Fuck 'em tabasco Aug 2015 #46

Give them an F Geronimoe Aug 2015 #47

Yah, Let them read the Bible as an alternative packman Aug 2015 #62

Even more shocking depravity these kids were subject to: Jerry442 Aug 2015 #58

Hey--spoiler alert! Orrex Aug 2015 #73

Ouch! Generic Other Aug 2015 #90

From Numbers 31. These from the KJV. nt Jerry442 Aug 2015 #100

Fundies are all book burners at heart Teamster Jeff Aug 2015 #63

How does their not reading a book deprive others of the ability to read the book? Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #84

Fine! flunk em! mountain grammy Aug 2015 #68

One of the most laughable moments I had with all this new awareness Baitball Blogger Aug 2015 #72

Giving critical thought to a subject they are unfamiliar with violates their beliefs? Initech Aug 2015 #76

...to tick off the box labeled credentials and to keep their unquestioning faith intact...? xocet Aug 2015 #88

FYI... xocet Aug 2015 #81

A big part of college... Mike Nelson Aug 2015 #86

Weak belifes if they can't survive reading a story. liberal N proud Aug 2015 #87

You are right on the money, liberal N proud. 3catwoman3 Aug 2015 #136

Most college professors BlueIdaho Aug 2015 #91

I am guessing they have no problems with reading the bible rurallib Aug 2015 #92

Gee, given how many books have Christian/religious themes or overtones, NYC Liberal Aug 2015 #94

To remain ignorant by choice is a right but, they will be left out Hiraeth Aug 2015 #96

well, no "duke did not seem to have people like "you" in mind." of course not. this university niyad Aug 2015 #98

Brittle belief system ya got there Cirque du So-What Aug 2015 #99

These kids are right, they should stick to reading books in which no one sins. Here's a list: dakota_democrat Aug 2015 #101

I love part three of this guy's comments: niyad Aug 2015 #102

I am so over stupid people. nt valerief Aug 2015 #105

The five words that validate homophobia, bigotry, sexism, intolerance and ignorance while Feeling the Bern Aug 2015 #110

Are these college freshmen?? or fourth graders? seaotter Aug 2015 #114

Seems they don't know the difference between July Aug 2015 #115

This is a stunt and it seems to be working. AngryAmish Aug 2015 #120

Duke's summer reading list melm00se Aug 2015 #121

F's all around. For the entire course. hifiguy Aug 2015 #123

It's not a course - it's the freshman summer reading list. Yo_Mama Aug 2015 #133

They can live however they want, but if they refuse to do the work required or recommended... Humanist_Activist Aug 2015 #143

But it's not a course. It's not work. Yo_Mama Aug 2015 #147

Which makes such material more valuable it allows them to open up to new experiences and how... Humanist_Activist Aug 2015 #153

People can be so stupid. Solly Mack Aug 2015 #124

If a book threatens their religious beliefs matt819 Aug 2015 #127

At Duke?! I was thinking Liberty or Bob Jones. KamaAina Aug 2015 #129

Ashley Madison clients in the making. Vinca Aug 2015 #130

They have the right to refuse to read highly explicit sexual material Yo_Mama Aug 2015 #131

. Liberal_in_LA Aug 2015 #134

"Christians" who rely on ignorance and never being challenged are weak in faith Hekate Aug 2015 #140

Flunk 'em. okasha Aug 2015 #141

Any god threatened by a graphic novel or an ancient monument is not a god. hunter Aug 2015 #142

the Atlantic just published a story about this sort of thing.... mike_c Aug 2015 #146

Give them a failing grade. moobu2 Aug 2015 #149

Reading a book will give them teh gay? Jamastiene Aug 2015 #150

As a sophomore in high school, a racist classmate refused to read "Black Like Me." David__77 Aug 2015 #154

I was once assigned to read a book written by a Catholic priest Flying Squirrel Aug 2015 #155

It's a summer reading list LittleBlue Aug 2015 #156

Wondering who the christian was who read the book and warned the others. . . B Calm Aug 2015 #157

"Freshman Daughter Drop-off" sign banned. "Freshman Daughter Reading List" okay. WTF? WinkyDink Aug 2015 #159

What are you talking about? yardwork Aug 2015 #162

Then don't read it bluestateguy Aug 2015 #163