Jonathan R. Aubin
We have already spoken of the unreliability of memory, both our own and others. Sometimes something is rumored about a person and never verified. How do we write about things of which we do not know the truth? Is there even such a thing as "the truth"? Write a memory, whether it is a half–remembered dream, your earliest childhood memory or a family myth or legend.
After writing, students will share their memories.
Discussion Questions
What are the common themes of these stories? What parts of these stories seem like they could be made up?
Students will break into groups and read excerpts from
Stitches
by David Small, specifically pp. 10–14, 56–63, and 64–75, 109–122, and 250–259.
Discuss: What parts of this story seem unrealistic? How does the character remember what he remembers? How does the author create visual metaphors? How would you describe the author's visual style?
Homework–Drawing Exercise 6
Read
Understanding Comics
by Scott McCloud, pp.24–36 "The Vocabulary Comics."
Create a list of as many visual icons as you can (e.g., Nike "swoosh," the Star of David, or a Christian fish).