Drawing Parallels...

The graphic novel ‘’ Ghost World’’ by  Daniel Clowes portrays the lives of two  teenagers ; Enid & Rebecca  who have already graduated from high school and wander aimlessly around their neighborhood ,criticizing harshly every single solitary person they come across with. The two main characters embody the spirit of youth in the 90s, taking a firm stance against becoming part of the system. What’s more, the characters are continuously looking for their identity and trying hard to make sense of life. For instance, Johnny Apeshit who used to be a punk rocker has become a yuppie and  John Ellis who has become an advocate of the worst political movements.

While I was reading the comic, I couldn’t help drawing a parallel between the graphic novel and ‘’The Catcher in the Rye’’ by J.D. Salinger and ``The World of Henry Orient`` by Norah Johnson, both written in the 90s. Albeit there are subtle distinctions between them, they do bear resemblances to each other.  The stories take place in the streets, highways, parks, supermarkets or inside characters’ houses. The writers create an effect through monologues and dialogues, highlighting daily-life as the hub of the action. The characters are strikingly similar. In ‘’The World of Henry Orient’’ the main characters are two teenagers fellows who enjoy wandering purposelessly around the town and passing judgment on people akin to what the two main characters of ‘’Ghost world’’ look like. In the case of Holden Caulfield, the protagonist of ‘’The Catcher in the Rye’’ who takes issue with the hypocrisy, ugliness and the system that society has established is strikingly similar to the protagonists of Ghost World.

Additionally, the novels are a clear reflection of the so-called Generation X, those born after the W.W. II.  This generation found future disappointing and unappealing. Besides, they question authority, think globally, develop behaviors of independence and see the world with cynicism and distrust. Each of the characters of the novels embodies these characteristics. 

Finally, Have you ever watched Daria? If not, it’s an animated television serie. The main character is Daria Morgendorffer who analyses the world in which she is immersed and criticizes harshly popular culture and social classes. The characters of Ghost World are strikingly similar to Daria in the way the think, act and see life. What’s more, Daria is cynical as well as Enid & Rebecca. The T.V show tackles issues alike the one that Clowes does in his graphic novel.

What other connections could you establish regarding the historical background in which the graphic novel takes place? How do the author portrays them? Can you make a connection between the graphic novel an any movie, serie or so on? If so, how are they alike?