Weeks 1 & 2 The Blue Lotus
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1) Are comics just a children's medium. What does Blue Lotus show us?
2 How does Farr (1991) justify Tintin's appeal to adults?
3How does The Blue Lotus relate to what Said (1997) terms 'Orientalism' ?
4 Is The Blue lotus a racist text? Give your reasons.
5) Herge used the expression 'the wind and bone' to refer to his art work. What do you think he meant.
1) Are comics just a children's medium. What does Blue Lotus show us?
ReplyDeleteIn terms of Tintin and Snowy the dog in Blue lotus, that most parts of Tintin's actions that he motivates himself. Always on the move to find answers from one state to another, it is amazing though, that tactics of saving lives, wiether he is critising the enemy to maintain good order seems rather fanatic or over powered to do something about imposible other than that, this does seem to be a childrens comic. Other than the focus of blue locus the hero saves the day.
As mentioned in my brief comment (Blue lotus) would be suited for any age, that readers would seem obviously that the contents are modest in relation to flexibility, Tintin is characteristically phenomenal in most stages, that at the very beginning it opens to utmost status, the state of Tintin finding the relevant solution to tackle who is the master mind behind all this curiosity tactic. This also gives a significant display of fine art work done by Herge’s (2005; 1935), student, Tchang Chong-chen, that readers could find amusing from reality motion scripts to icon images of China. This is highly recommended that some back grounds show Japan troops invading China with the back ground of the great wall of China (page 22). The most common comment in relation to Herge’s (2005; 1935), in the blue Lotus readings describing racial stereotype, that not all culture would get on very well with each other, because of cultural appearance, but for Tintin to save someone’s life would make a good change in loyalty and compassion or even trust in each other. Farr (1991) therefore, the character of Tintin, my Hero is an image that impels itself to fantasy stereotype that is either racial or partly cynical protocol appearance.
DeleteHergé. (2005; 1935). The Adventures of Tintin: The Blue Lotus. London: Methuen.
Farr, Michael. (1991). Tintin: the complete companion. London: John Murray.
This is a good beginning, Areta.Try to keep your ideas as simple as possible.
Delete' the contents are modest in relation to flexibility, Tintin is characteristically phenomenal in most stages, that at the very beginning it opens to utmost status,'... the meaning here is quite obscure! The challenge is to make difficult ideas simple!
1) Are comics just a children's medium. What does Blue Lotus show us?
ReplyDeleteThe Blue lotus has showed and taught readers and viewers so many things in life. Although many think Tintin is for children it can also be for adults too. Farr (1991) writes “all young people aged from seven to seventy-seven” this can define that there is no specific age to read The Adventures of Tintin. However, we can see how Tintin is targeted at children because of his heroic actions in saving and rescuing people in the Blue Lotus. In general, the Blue Lotus has taught and showed us all to be brave, courage’s, helpful and caring. Most importantly the whole story behind the Blue Lotus will give readers knowledge about the history of the Blue Lotus.
Reference:
Farr, Michael. (1991). Introduction. In Tintin: the complete companion (pp.8-9). London: John Murray.
Hergé. (2005; 1935). The Adventures of Tintin: The Blue Lotus. London: Methuen.
Note, Farr was quoting Herge. What aspect would adults find interesting?
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ReplyDelete1) Are comics just a children's medium. What does Blue Lotus show us?
ReplyDelete2 How does Farr (1991) justify Tintin's appeal to adults?
Comics are written for all mediums, not only just for children. Comics are illustrated in forms such as, cartoons, detective stories, fantasies and romance that will appeal to all ages. It is educational and appealing to younger viewers because of its comic and artistic style. The use of color also makes it that much more interesting for children to view.
The initial impression that comics gives is a very childish feel. After all, it’s made in a way that can be understood easily by children and have plots that appeal to them. Comics are generally encased in alluring heroic adventures which children enjoy.
Farr (1991), justifies Tin Tin’s appeal to adults not just for comedy purposes but also for a political stance, the parody, puns and foreknowledge in which the comics establish. Tin Tin began as a stretch Tin Tin from a birthplace in Brussels, to the four corners of the world with stories that anchored firmly with topics which were relevant and current events of the stores. Tin Tin offerers many levels of adventures which can be appreciated by all from childhood, to adulthood, to parenthood.
Reference:
Farr, Michael. (1991). Introduction. In Tintin: the complete companion (pp.8-9). London: John Murray.
Clearly set out and well expressed. Ideas are not developed very far, however.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteQuestions:
ReplyDelete1) Are comics just a children's medium? What does Blue Lotus show us?
2) How does Farr (1991) justify Tintin's appeal to adults?
Comics were seen as a lowbrow genre and children’s stuff in the past. However, they are getting popular now and not only for children. Words and images are presented at the same time in comics. The reasons why comics were seen as children’s stuff might be the impression of picture books, which usually target at children as their audience, and the idea that images are easier to be understood. According to Varnum and Gibbons (2001, p. xii), this idea might be problematic. They argue that understanding images requires skills as well. Also, in Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics, he also tells us there are something that texts cannot tell, and something that images cannot show (as cited in Varnum & Gibbons, 2001). Words and images help each other to give meanings. Cartoon writers use both of them to get their messages successfully across. Thus, I would say comics is a genre of story-telling, not a product only for children.
The Blue Lotus is popular among both adults and children because not only the exciting storyline itself, but also the drawing, was well-planned (Farr, 1991). The author, Hergé, was extremely meticulous on details, especially background images. He was highly influenced by his Chinese friend, Chang Chong-chen. They enjoyed discussing about Chinese culture, and through discussions, Chang gave Hergé “a true taste of China”, according to Farr (p. 51). Also, Hergé himself was a perfectionist. His pursuit of the real was unstoppable. He made sure that the settings were accurate and delicate. The reasons above suggested by Farr could explain why The Blue Lotus had appeals to both adults and children. They could see what the real China looked like through Hergé’s images and representation of China. What’s more, Hergé himself said Tintin was designed for “all young people aged from seven to seventy-seven” (as cited in Farr, 1991, p. 9). Farr also states, “Children loved the adventure for its excitement and exoticism even if they were not fully aware of its political agenda” (p, 55), whereas adults will discover some skillful uses of language that is politics-related when they are reading the story. Here, we can also see how words and images work together to attract audiences from different ages. Farr further explains why grownups and children like Tintin. He adds that they have different understandings of the story, or what they like about the story is different in different periods of the life course. Finally, as readers grow older, they will find something new or something they have never noticed before every time they read the story.
Reference:
Farr, Michael. (1991). Introduction. In Tintin: The Complete Companion (pp. 8-9). London: John Murray.
Farr, Michael. (1991). The Blue Lotus. In Tintin: The Complete Companion (pp. 50-59). London: John Murray.
Hergé. (1983; 1935). The Adventures of Tintin: The Blue Lotus. London: Methuen.
McCloud, S. (1994). Understanding comics: [the invisible art]. New York: HarperPerennial.
Varnum, R., & Gibbons, C. T. (2001). Introduction. In The language of comics: Word and image (pp. ix-xix). Jackson: University Press of Mississippi.
A great answer, Emily. Well researched and well reasoned.
DeleteAlso note the use of the term 'graphic novel' to describe adult comics!
DeleteComics are a profound way to express ideas through images, whilst combining text through speech and other relating visual context (Wikipedia (n.d). Although comics may be seen as context for children, they have become very diverse in the audience they reach. Horricks, 2004 as cited in (course notes) states that comics create a kind of ‘garden’ that offers the reader ‘a whole range of possible paths to take – like a maze of meaning with no easy way out’. The classic genre of comics regarding super hero type figures has expanded to a larger context of different genres such as; fantasy, SF, adventure, thriller, romance, horror and many more, which creates a more diverse audience for all ages. The Blue Lotus is a popular genre of adventure in cultural production, for the formulaic plot structure, portraying predictable corny endings and simplistic outcomes that continue throughout the series. The Blue Lotus displays both adult and children type themes, portraying classic super hero scenarios but also combining current affairs and somewhat type of politics in each adventure TinTin pursuits. Herge, the author of ‘Le Lotus Blue’, which was published in 1934-5 in the magazine Le Petit Vingtième in Brussels (Herge, 1934-5), was translated into 45 different languages internationally wide. The story line of The Blue Lotus is based on current affairs that took place in 1931, where the Japanese troops were occupying parts of the Chinese mainland and Shanghai (Johnson, 2016). Herge took the opportunity to turn the current affairs happening in his presence and conveying them into his comics, such as the ‘blowing up of South Manchurian railway’ (M. Johnson, Popular Genres, 2016). The appeal of the classical series of TinTin demonstrates multiple aspects towards how Herge wanted to portray his comics for his audience. Although TinTin is seen as a child type figure and is targeted at a younger audience, the comics still appeal to an older audience by conveying informative information that portrayed the politic side towards the comic of global situations happening in real life. Doing so amplifies the understanding of the younger audience viewing the comic towards the current affairs happening in the world, turning the comic into a form of learning in a heroic form to appeal for the young audience. In addition, the comic plays upon compassion and other characteristics that portrays TinTin as a good hero and having his dog as a sidekick, which is appealing to children. In stating these attributes towards Herge’s comic of the “The Blue Lotus”, he displays the well-known literature word of orientalism on which he conveys in describing his characters throughout his comic. Orientalism is seen as traits towards characteristics features of the Eastern Hemisphere, which is "Oriental" cultures; Including Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian and Southeast Asian cultures. Mostly scholars in art history, cultural studies, literary and geography use the term as a form to depicting the Eastern cultures (Wikipedia (n.d). Herge demonstrated orientalism in his comic ‘The Blue Lotus’ as a form of creating the depiction of his characters which were based in Shanghai. The Term enables the political, economic, cultural and social domination of the West not just during colonial times, but also in the present, in which Herge played upon incorporating realism into his comics from current events that’s took place.
ReplyDeleteReferencing:
DeleteComics. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved December 5, 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comics
Hergé. (2005; 1935). The Adventures of Tintin: The Blue
Lotus. London: Methuen.
Johnson, M. (2016). BA English and New Media Studies; BA Creative Writing [Course notes].
Popular Genres 166104. Retrieved from Auckland University of Technology
AUTonline
Johnson, M. (2016).Herge, The Blue Lotus; Adventures of TinTin, Image/ Text/ Animation [Power Point slides]. Popular Genres 166104. Retrieved from
Auckland University of Technology AUTonline website:
https://autonline.aut.ac.nz/
Orientalism. (n.d). In Wikipedia. Retrieved December 5, 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orientalism
Great use of research, and the exploration of ideas. Gets a little woolly towards the end.
Delete1. Are comics just a children’s medium? What does ‘Blue Lotus’ show us?
ReplyDelete2. Is the ‘Blue Lotus’ a racist text? Give your reasons.
With all creative works, the idea of ‘content versus is context’ plays a significant role when trying to get a message across. Content is what you write; context is the meaning behind your work. In regards to Tintin, the content is simple: Tintin is a European journalist who fights international crime. The context, however, of ‘The Adventures of Tintin’ is slightly more complex in terms of the historical, cultural, and social references to many of the characters and situations Tintin encounters on his adventures, such as the bombing of the railway in Shanghai that was instigated by Mr Mitsuhirato; mentions of the Boxer Rebellion that occurred between 1899 and 1901; and the portrayal of both Japanese and Chinese citizens. Herge, himself, said that ‘The Adventures of Tintin’ is created for “all young people aged from seven to seventy-seven” Farr (1991) based on the content and the context of the graphic novel. Some might assume that comics are just a children’s medium purely because they are cartoons. However, ‘Blue Lotus’ is one of many examples that dismiss these assumptions based on the context of the comics.
‘The Blue Lotus’ isn’t exactly a racist text, but there is a stereotyping underline within the portrayal of the different characters in the graphic novel. For example, Hergé portrays the Japanese characters in his stories to have ‘pig’ features (ie. Nose and teeth). Another example would be the situation in ‘The Blue Lotus’ where Tintin and Chang are discussing the stereotypes of each other’s ethnic background after Tintin saves Chang from almost drowning in the river. “I thought all white devils were wicked, like those who killed my grandfather and grandmother not long ago. During the War of Righteous and Harmonious Fists…” Hergé. (2005; 1935). Chang assumed that all Westerners were the same because of what happened to his grandparents during the Boxer Rebellion between 1899 and 1901. Tintin dismisses these assumptions by informing the stereotypes that most Westerners still have of Chinese, such as wearing pig tails, eating rotten eggs, and throwing their unwanted babies in rivers. The exchange between Tintin and Chang is a representation of Hergé’s friendship between Zhang Chongren who educated him on his unintentional racism and stereotyping in his works.
Reference:
Farr, Michael. (1991). Introduction. In Tintin: the complete companion (pp.8-9). London: John Murray.
Hergé. (2005; 1935). The Adventures of Tintin: The Blue Lotus. London: Methuen.