This graphic novel is set in three different countries. Each
country is set to a different color: yellow, red or blue. Do you think there is
a reason each color was chosen to represent each country? Do the colors
represent anything else in regards to the story?
The Arab of the
Future presents a gritty, unflattering depiction of the residents of the
countries the story visits. Is the depiction of the characters fair, more so is
the depiction racist? What role, if any, does race play within the story?
The use of time is critical to the story and allows the reader to experience tension in a creative way. Do you believe this type of storytelling works or does it feel forced? Does this “time travel” help or hinder the characterization of Riad?
The use of time is critical to the story and allows the reader to experience tension in a creative way. Do you believe this type of storytelling works or does it feel forced? Does this “time travel” help or hinder the characterization of Riad?
I feel as though since this was through the eyes of a child the depictions aren't racist. I think it natural for children to see things as much more extreme in their eyes as they may be in real life.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the colors and the countries go I feel the most obvious thing I noticed while reading was the yellow while they were living in libya was how harsh it was on my eyes. It was almost exhausting to read, I'm sure this might have been reminiscent of the conditions in which they lived but that being said, I'm not sure about what that says about the other countries they lived in and the colors that are depicted.
Colors are extremely symbolic in general, and I love his take on color relations in this book. From a stylistic point of view, yellow is much more middle eastern than just european. That mustard yellow is a very popular color choice in that part of the world, so it fits the story well.
ReplyDeleteEveryone keeps talking about the "racism" I did not take a severe racism like we have seen in previous books, like King, in this book. Race is a big part of the book, because the author is basically being raised in-between countries, however I try not to take it with negative connotation.