A study on narration of memories through graphic storytelling methods: tales from Çarşamba

Official URL: http://risc01.sabanciuniv.edu/record=b1649012 (Table of Contents)

Comic books have been a substantial part of the pop-culture, and since 1980s nonfictional stories are becoming more and more the subject of the comic artists. The medium itself has a distinctive way of storytelling. It is the harmony between all of the components including illustrations, script, speech balloons and captions, panels, colors and this mixture makes this genre a unique way of narrating. In this thesis, the distinctive narrating methods of the medium have been investigated via production of a non-fictive graphic memoir novel, named as Tales From Çarşamba. This experimentation has showed that the graphic choices affect the reader directly by both manipulating one’s perception and conveying the information to the reader in a considerably rapid way. Additionally, the paneling choices made by the author may control the readers’ actions such as the reading speed or directing their attention. One last thing that needs to be pointed out is tendency of the author/illustrator to mix their interpretations and emotions with the plot. However, these interpretations do not affect the non-fictionality of the narrative but enriches the story by improving the components of the content. In consequence, sequential art could be a good alternative for narrating non-fiction, specifically memoirs, in this case. It’s interior qualities opens up new possibilities for storytelling and opportunities to enrich the story. Therefore, comic art should be given credit for narrating the non-fiction, especially genres like memoir, which are not only narrating historical incidents but human lives and emotions.