TRAUMA EXPRESSED THROUGH SPACE, FRAMES, AND COLOR IN FRANCO-ARAB GRAPHIC NOVELS

This paper examines the effectiveness of five particular graphic novels, written by Zeina Abirached, and Riad Sattouf, at evoking an experienced trauma beyond simply using a combination of words and images. Both authors in this analysis employ methodical border and spatial techniques that allow for a more vivid and unique illustration of their endured, personal trauma that goes beyond other traditional literary genres. The border and spatial techniques analyzed include framing frequency, frame size and angle, and color found throughout the graphic novels in question. The strategic employment of these techniques permits a more refined expression of the character’s relationships to their trauma: child-Zeina with the Lebanese Civil War, and child-Riad with the relationship to his father.Master of Art