Unlike
many of the other kinds of stories read, these three narratives
are portrayed much differently. Spiegelman illustrates his story by
telling of his memories from his lifetime. Spiegelman first looks back on his
innocence he had during his childhood (as seen in “Mein Kampf), then jumps into
a later time in his life when he suffered his most traumatic experience
(as seen in “Prisoner on the Hell Planet: A Case History”). In his first
illustration, Artie remembers his own happy childhood and his pride for his son
and daughter. It is seen thorough these pictures that he has a close bond with
his son, Dash, as he indicates that his “parents died before I had any kids”
(98). The story then jumps to “Prisoner on the Hell Planet: A Case History”. After
being in a mental hospital for three months, he returns with the news that his
mother committed suicide. The guilt that he was the reason she killed herself
begins to haunt him. Throughout the grieving of his mother, his father was
the one to collapse rather than himself, saying, “I was expected to comfort
HIM!” (101). Artie’s relationship with both his parents seemed to not be that
strong, due to the guilt and isolation he feels between both of them. It is
possible that due to the fact that he was in an insane institution for months,
this strained his relationship with his parents. It is also possible that they
are the reason that he ended up in the institution.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Art Spiegelman “Prisoner on the Hell Planet: A Case History” and “Mein Kampf” & Lynda Barry “Common Scents”
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When reading “Prisoner on the Hell Planet: A Case History” I was, and still am, extremely curious as to why Artie was in a mental institution. As Jeanine stated, "Spiegelman first looks back on his innocence he had during his childhood (as seen in “Mein Kampf), then jumps into a later time in his life when he suffered his most traumatic experience (as seen in “Prisoner on the Hell Planet: A Case History”)". I wonder why there was such a dramatic jump from happiness to depression and insanity in his life. These two stories greatly differ from Lynda Barry’s “Common Scents". Lynda tells fond and loving attributes that make up her house. It was nice to read this narrative after reading such a deep and dark narrative.
ReplyDelete- Stephanie
I am also very curious as to why Artie was in a mental institution. He seemed to have a normal childhood and then he just jumps to his mother committing suicide and him being insane. It would of been nice if he explained in this graphic essay how his family life got destroyed and we weren't left guessing as readers.Then in the essay Common Scents the narrator is talking about her childhood and how she is judging the scent of other peoples houses. But then one day somebody says her house smells funny as well. This is when she realizes everyone's homes has different smells based on there cultures. Its just a small point in the story but symbolizes that we should accept all cultures and differences no matter what their differences are even if its just scent.
ReplyDelete"Prisoner on the Hell Planet: A Case History" was definitely an interesting read. Like Steph and Sam, I am also curious to why Artie is in the mental institution in the beginning. It seems like Artie has a tough life from viewing the sad, sort of depressing illustrations in the piece. I agree with Jeanine when she said, "Artie’s relationship with both his parents seemed to not be that strong, due to the guilt and isolation he feels between both of them. It is possible that due to the fact that he was in an insane institution for months, this strained his relationship with his parents." This isolation from being in the institution for long probably did have a great effect on his relationship with his parents; they seemed to have drifted away a little. In "Common Scents," Barry describes different smells in different-cultured homes. Jeanine said, "Barry was trying to send out the message that even though every house has it’s own “scent”, it defines what makes that house their “home”." I completely agree with her because by he end of the story, Barry realizes what makes her home unique.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything Jeanine has stated! I am also very confused on why Artie was in a mental institution! Artie seemed to have a fine childhood but then he just jumps right to the fact that his mother committed suicide. Why did she commit suicide? As a reader, it would of been nice to know. Like Stephanie has said, "I wonder why there was such a dramatic jump from happiness to depression and insanity in his life. In "Common Scents" Barry describes the smells in different-cultured homes. Barry thought that every house has its own scent and it defines what makes a house a home. I agree with Jeanine when she says, "Even though they are all different, the little things that are in a household make up their own homes."
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