Satrapi and the universality of cartoon imagery

In relation to McCloud’s theory I think that "universality of cartoon imagery" is operating differently than just to relate to the common person.  I think a large part of this work is the difficulties and struggles that are specific to the author due to where she is from and due to her gender.  I think that the comic book style in this case is used not as a way to relate to everyone but as a why to convey emotion in an understated style that makes it accessible to the reader.  This is an incredibly serious topic and the graphic novel format allows the reader to walk along side the author.  The format of the work is used to bring emotion and situations to us in a way that is functionally accessible.

 I think a good example of this is the way that God is drawn.  All of us can relate to this stereotypical image of God as an older man with a white beard.  In the same way that the more violent images are drawn, this image of God relates to us without bringing us completely into the situation.  I don’t think that the author’s intention is to usher us into herself and see completely through her eyes. We have not experienced what she has.  But the graphic novel style allows us to immerse ourselves into the narrative in a way that a written work wouldn’t.  We can physically see the author and because of this I think that we are supposed to keep the author separate from our ourselves.  The universality of this text is limited to the emotion of her story. 


I would say that this work is actually an example of a refutation of McCloud’s theory of universality since it separates the author in a more distinct way than a strictly textual narration would.  The cultural dress and tropes of the work are also a part of this.  Does this mean that McCloud’s theory breaks down when the text is autobiographical?  I think that the reason I’m so hasty to jump on McCloud’s bandwagon is because I don’t completely buy his claims about the universality of the cartoon image and that generalities allow the reader to place themselves in a work.  But I do think that this work is a good refutation of that theory.  Satrapi wants us to feel her emotion and uses the graphic novel medium to do so but at no point do I think that she wants us to internalize ourselves within her.  She is showing us and we are expected to learn.