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Engelberg discovers she has breast cancer Coping with breast cancer begins Leads to depression and over-thinking
everything Discovers many meaningless things in life Begins to accept breast cancer Resolution lies in being shallow
Plot
Coping mechanism for Miriam Engelberg Meant to help those who have cancer Explain why being shallow is good
Purpose
Memoir: entire book written about Engelberg’s cancer
Humor: many instances of crude humor Support: many panels drawn around advice
Themes
Memoir is structured around the stages of acceptance
Memoir changes tone as it progresses◦ From grim to bright towards the end
Structure
Analyses everyday things in depth Many scenes have a humorous tones
◦ Such scenes imagine scenarios in the literal sense
Voice and Tone
Title was very blunt◦ Entire book dedicated to explaining it
Resolution of book is to be shallow Draws attention to the book
◦ Being shallow is usually not a good thing Very accurately informs reader regarding
content
Significance of Title
Written in 30 minute intervals◦ Engelberg only had 30 minutes each day before
work Written as Engelberg was coping with
cancer Work reflects the stages of coping:
◦ Denial◦ Anger◦ Acceptance
Historical Context
Memoir focused on people around Engelburg◦ How to present such grim news to them
Awkward confrontations with people
Social Context
Society revolves around minding one’s business◦ Leads to mindless fulfillment of tasks◦ Engelberg jokes about many of these instances
Superficial appearances lead to fake emotions◦ People who barely knew Engelberg pitied her
Cultural Context
Engelberg visited the doctors to check her breast◦ Drew a mechanic creeper in place of a
metaphor
Outstanding Scenes
Only long term character present was Engelberg
No significance placed on other characters Engelberg’s character goes through
dramatic changes◦ At first fearful and not accepting cancer◦ Later accepted fate with open arms
see things on the surface; nothing more
Characterization
Carefully placed drawings in lieu of metaphors◦ Metaphors are impossible due to lack of text
Many humorous depictions of otherwise serious events◦ Humor used to lighten up the otherwise dark
mood
Images
I personally related very well with Miriam Engelburg, the author. Towards the
beginning of her graphic memoir at first sight of cancer she began over-
analyzing every little thing and through certain possible results she began to
rationalize pessimistic endings. I too suffer from mild anxiety where I over
analyze everything and through this, break things down into smaller pieces.
These smaller pieces often times have a pessimistic nature to them which
cause me grief. I along with Engelberg know how difficult it is to think of
anything else in the face of catastrophic events such as cancer.
Connection to Jonathan
I related to the overall theme of the graphic memoir. My aunt was diagnosed
with cancer several years ago and during that time it was incredibly difficult
for her. After looking at Engelberg’s experience it made me realize both my
aunt and her went through a very similar experience. Both my aunt and her
had trouble accepting the fact that cancer was life-threatening to them. In
order to cope my aunt sought comfort in family and friends and overall just
doing what she wanted to do when she wanted to do them. Engelberg saw
similar release in her drawing and eventually the publishing of her graphic
memoir.
Connection to Ibraheem
Engelberg, M. (2006). Cancer Made Me a Shallower Person. New York, NY: HarperCollins.
References
Miriam Engelberg
Author Biography
Born January 7th, 1958 in Philadelphia Grew up in Lexington, Kentucky
Early Life
Bachelor’s degree in Russian from Indiana University
Masters in Philosophy of Education from Claremont Graduate School
Masters in Theological Studies from Francisan school of Theology, Berkley
Wrote/Performed Comic Monologues Wrote a play “Spit out your Gum: it’s school policy” Career as computer trainer at CompassPoint “Cancer made me a Shallower Person” published
by HarperCollins
Adult Life
Greatly moved by her diagnosis with breast cancer
Had a passion for writing◦ Detested her job as a school teacher
Pursued career in writing after cancer diagnosis
Historical Context
Her diagnosis of breast cancer People around her with cancer Reaction from those around her Her wanting to help others cope with cancer
Influences
Cancer made me a Shallower Person◦ Most famous work
Spit out Your Gum: It’s School Policy◦ School play she wrote with a fellow teacher
Planet 501(c)3◦ Published by non-profit
Lack of awards and works due to short career
Works and Awards
Career high: Cancer made me a Shallower Person◦ Allowed her to cope with cancer
Career low: school teacher◦ Detested the job
Career Low and High Points
http://miriamengelberg.livejournal.com/◦ Link to Engelberg’s personal blog
Interviews (Blog)
Reviews were great due to unique nature of work
Supported by cancer support groups Very good reception from the general public
Reception and Reviews of Work
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam_Engelberg◦ Miriam Engelberg. (2006, September 10). Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam_Engelberg
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/entertainment&id=4674153◦ Author Miriam Engelberg Dies [Newsgroup post]. (2006, October 18). Retrieved from Action
News website: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/entertainment&id=4674153
http://www.harpercollins.ca/authors/29252/Miriam_Engelberg/index.aspx?authorID=29252◦ HarperCollinsCanada.(n.d.). Miriam Engelberg. Retrieved from HarperCollinsCanada website:
http://www.harpercollins.ca/authors/29252/Miriam_Engelberg/index.aspx?authorID=29252
References
Graphic Memoir Genre
Visual interpretation over literature Interpret a life story through drawings Allows one to see into author’s imagination
Key Concepts
Exaggeration through pictures rather than words◦ Drawings depict unreal scenes in lieu of literary devices
Action to action◦ progression in single subject
Subject to Subject◦ knowledge is required to make meaning
Scene to scene◦ transitions through time or distance
Aspect to aspect◦ transition in time causes change in aspect
Non-Sequitur◦ No relationship between scenes
Techniques/Effects
Important to depict who the writer is◦ There cannot be extreme exaggerations◦ Graphic memoir must maintain fact and accuracy
Distinct and recognizable traits◦ Writer’s character is distinct and instantly
recognizable
Characterization
Action scenes focus on a figure◦ Usually lack of background emphasizes this
Time is “slowed” down◦ Scene is drawn out through many panels
Colour used to draw attention◦ Often times the foreground is more colourful than
background
Action
Crucial part of a graphic memoir◦ Colour can shift attention to anything
Can be used strategically Draw importance to certain things
Colour
Can be greatly exaggerated to add emphasis◦ Things can be exaggerated to emphasize certain
details Drawn around the author’s imagination Allows for great visual interpretation
Images
Scenes that appeal to the reader emotionally
Will not make sense unless understood entirely
Context is embedded in multiple scenes
Outstanding Technical Scenes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autobiographical_comics
http://ccit300-f06.wikispaces.com/understanding+comics+notes
http://english.arizona.edu/public/Image/NOS/LiuTQ10-22-07.pdf
http://blogcritics.org/video/article/on-characterization-in-superhero-comics-its/
http://grouplit2011.blogspot.ca/2011/11/oustanding-technical-scenes.html
References