El Deafo Analysis 2

In Cece Bell’s El Deafo, it was refreshing to analyze the graphic novel coming towards the end of this class. Originally, if I was asked to analyze this novel, I would have focused on the summary, or the themes. While I did focus on some powerful themes in my past blog post, I wanted to focus on more of the structure and set up of this novel. I have gained the skills to look more at specific choices the author has made visually in order to create specific points.

While this novel has more of a standard “left to right,” feel to it, there are also important additions that are included to stress specific areas.

For the most part the paneling is done the same way throughout the whole book. This makes the reading a little bit more predictable for the reader. However, it also makes it simple. We’ve read books this semester where sometimes the reader had to guess which panel was next. In this book, that wasn’t the case. This is not a bad thing. Also, when the author includes extra details it is clear right away. Everything pops out to the reader immediately because it is different. Automatically, a reader is able to pick up on the differences occurring. Bell does this on purpose to draw the readers attention, and I think that it is a powerful tool. I will go in to more detail throughout the rest of this analysis about specific examples.

One example comes when the author is “daydreaming.” There are a few times within the text where a scene is obviously not happening, but rather Cece is thinking about something happening. The author has decided to illustrate these in a particular way. During these instances there is a large bubble around all of the panels. This is one of the few events where anything, (text, visuals, etc.) is placed outside of the panels. This makes it more clear to the reader right away that it is not actually happening, but it’s an important way to show the stress of those particular moments.

One of the first events where I noticed extra details to prove a point was after Cece gets her phonic ear piece. The beginning of the novel has panels with a small gutter space, and most of the panels are about the same size. Occasionally, the panels are created larger to emphasize the importance of that panel. However, on page 41, for the first time, Bell goes outside of the panels. This is one of the first scenes where Cece is wearing her Phonic Ear. It shows the adjustment that Cece is making, and stresses how big a deal it is to her. Cece is drawn outside of the panels, and so are the words. The words are bigger and bursting out of the panels, signifying that Cece can hear the words that her teacher is saying.

I thought that this was an interesting way to express this to the reader. Obviously, it can be hard to detail senses other than visual to a reader. By using the exploding words and stretching it across the page more, the reader is able to see the dramatic effect that the Phonic Ear has created for Cece.

Another moment that sticks out to me is found later in the book on page 208. On this page the background behind the panels is a whole other scene playing out. This immediately caught my eye because it was the first time that it was used in the whole book. It’s also right at the end, so that makes it even more powerful, because there were plenty of other opportunities to use this tool. On the top of the page there are the four typical panels that I have seen throughout the rest of the book. However, below, (where there would be two more panels typically,) there is an open visual without an outline or panel. The visual is of two individuals walking with grass in the background, and then a blue sky continues that is the background of the four panels above. It is complex, (which is why my description may not do it full justice.) However, I thought it was quite interesting and important to point out.

Similarly to the other instances that I have mentioned above; this particular page is trying to stress the importance of what is actually happening. At this point Cece is overhearing what is happening while two people are talking. It is a place that resolves a conflict that has been persistent throughout the beginning and middle of the novel. Obviously this scene is important, because it ends up solving that conflict. That is why I think Bell chose to wait until this specific moment to visually show the reader something different by using this tool.

Overall I found the visual aspects and structure of this novel to be fairly simple and predictable. However, when there were different tools used, they were done in particular moments to show and stress differences happening. Obviously, they were all done on purpose. I think this course has shown me to look out for those types of things and to read a graphic novel through more than just the words written down. There’s a reason it is called a “graphic novel.” The graphics/visuals are just as important, and in some cases more important.