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“Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me” Reflection

During our literature circle meet ups with the other members of our group, we discussed our opinions on the various topics that appear in the book.

First off, nobody in our group had actually liked the premise. (I had liked the book at first, but the author went on never ending rambles which took away from the quality of the graphic novel.) 

Some of the reasons we hadn’t liked it were:

The author had too many memories that were touched upon, but never really developed afterwards. It would have been better if the author had focused on one major memory instead of cramming all these issues from her life.

The author overdramatized her life. 1. She came from a wealthy family in a country that had many people living in poverty.   2. Even though she was a tomboy, everyone around her had accepted it. 3. Even though she took part in rallies for the Cory-Doy party, the reign of Marcos didn’t affect her family since they had money.  

The reason had made this graphic novel was because of the passing of her father. But the thing is, everyone experiences the death of someone relatively close to them. This experience doesn’t make her more special than anyone else. If someone writes a memoir, usually, it’s because that person had something incredible that had happened in their life. But she was just a tomboy that came from a well-established family that lived during a revolution (that doesn’t really affect her in any way) and ended up living in Canada. 

Also, the conflict of the author was very unclear. We find out at the end that she wasn’t mourning the loss of her deceased father, but of her own. The protagonist feels as though they have changed from the person they used to be. (But everyone changes over time) But the thing is, there’s no hints throughout the read that she ever has an inner conflict with herself. It just kinda pops up out of nowhere. The worst part is that she doesn’t develop her thoughts on that matter. 

Overall, it wasn’t the best read. If this were my first graphic novel, it wouldn’t promote me to read more. (But luckily, I’m not the beginner to this genre.) But I think this read was intended more for an older audience. If I were older, I might have enjoyed the read more. But, the politics side was enjoyable to read. 

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“Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me” Conventions Part 2

Page 121 is a splash page. From top to bottom, we see Rina dreaming, followed by her running and falling. The only test on this page is "I start to dream..." We had stated that dreaming is Rina's distraction from reality. But Rina running away and falling could symbolize her trying to forget about the memories painful to remember. Then at the bottom of the page, we can see black enveloping all of her body and the only thing that can be see are her hands and face. Which is like she is struggling to get back up. The whole page screams a tense feeling from the choice of colours that are black and white, and the black on the page has a jagged opening that give a rough feel to the image. The splash page here is trying to convey the struggle of Rina trying to piece everything together. Page 127 is a moment to moment transition. Rina has come to the realization that she isn't the same person she used to be. And she doesn't want to lose that part of her, but she feels she already had lost the old her. And feel as though she had 'died'. The wavering lines of the first three panels indicate that this is metaphorically happening while the last two are of how Rina feels about losing herself. Time is struggling with accepting the fact that the old her has 'died'. This transition was to convey the emotion the main character is feeling at that point (which is loss and sadness) to the reader

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“Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me” Panel Interpretation Part 2

On page 109, Rina can be seen biking in The Philippines during her last summer there before she left for Canada. In the last two panels, she wrote, "All the while, I felt like I was looking at everything through some kind of strange lens, as though I were the only thing real and all around was just and movie... ... as though I was trying to separate myself from this world so it wouldn't to leave it." Even though this is a flashback, I think present day Rina was relating back to this memory. She was connecting to this moment that invoked the same emotions as she is feeling because of her dad's passing. We can also tell she is in discomfort from her facial expression. On page 114, Rina can be seen leaving the Philippines. On the last panel of the page, the monologue says, "I can forget everything." while she is sleeping on her flight. As I've mentioned before, I think Rina's way of escaping reality is by dreaming. And I suspect that her falling asleep on the flight is Rina's way of finding a distraction to forget her father 's death. She knows he's passed, but she just doesn't want to accept it. This is understandable since she had such a special bond with her father and losing someone like that can be hard on a person. On page 116, the third to last panel had her monologue saying, " Love? Or freedom?" with her family holding a welcome back sign. In the next panel, it says, "One cannot have both." Then in the last, it's written, "But long ago, I chose love, and have done so ever since." Now, you may be wondering what Rona meant by love and freedom. Obviously, love symbolizes the family she current has with her husband. But, I think freedom was meant to be the opposite of love. No responsibilities and free to do as she wished since she's have the time to do. But, the author hadn't done that and has a big family.

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“Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me” Questions Part 2

- Why do you think the title of this graphic novel is "Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me?" - Why are politics of the Philippines included in the graphic novel important for the reader?

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“Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me” Opinion Part 1

My favourite character form this graphic novel has to be Rina’s father. Throughout the book, the father is very supportive of Rina, whether it be her tomboy personality or any of her quirks. For example, in the last paragraph of page 49, it says, “(...) But not only did my dad call me “Princess”, he treated me like one.” That line alone shows how much the main character (aka the author) loves her dad. Thought it’s a pretty cheesy line, I found it sweet.  Also, the fact that Rina’s dad stood up fro his beliefs just added to the quality of the person. For instance, during the candidacy, her father would put self-made posters and stickers everywhere to promote the Dory Coy group. He even went to the extent of traveling to different regions to promote Marco’s opposition. His dedication is just another reason for the reader to like the character. It’s kind of a pity that this character will only be mentioned in past memories.

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“Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me” Connection Part 1

  Money is a recurring topic that appears within the graphic novel multiple times. So the theme I had interpreted from this was : “ We are more fortunate than we realize.” For example, on the bottom panels of page 18, Rina’s children are complaining at the smaller things and making them seem like victims. I feel like this could go for children in first world countries (i.e. USA). Most of these children are luckier than they believe to be. They complain that they don’t have the latest tech or that they ‘need’ black Nikes. These kids have such a lavish life compared to some people around the world. For instance, in the book, Rina came from a well off family while there was many children that could be found living in the slums. Yet the only difference between Rina and children from first world countries is that Rina (for the most part) appreciated what was given to her while us kids from places like Canada will complain that we don’t have enough.

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“Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me” Panel Analysis Part 1

On the bottom panel of page 5, Rina can be seen lying awake in bed. It says in her monologue, “(…) Memories that had faded with passage of time come rushing back with a strange clarity, the way sometimes when you dream in the early morning, you are aware that you are dreaming, but the dream feels infinitely more clear than being awake.” Then, on page 13, the same exact panel can be seen except Rina has fallen asleep.  These two panels use the convention of repetition. Anyways, we know as the readers that Rina is struggling with grasping the fact that her father has passed away. I think her falling asleep in that second panel could mean that Rina’s in denial of the situation and is trying to escape this reality by calling on old memories that had seemed so distant at the time. This is her way of coping with her father’s death.

On the last two panels of page 23, we see Rina expecting her father to not actually be dead, but in the last panel, we see her father laying in his casket. Just as a quick side note, Rina’s father loved surprising others. So, the reader can assume that a small part of Rina was hoping that this whole situation was just one big prank. And from her facial expression in the last apnoea, we can tell that her father is indeed dead. And the fact that Rina’s father has actually passed away is becoming much more real to Rina than before.

Page 63 is a splash page. We can see Rina laying down on her bed and musics notes can be seen swirling around the room. In previous panels, it’s shown has a passion for music and old movies. I think this panel shows that our passions can envelop us. At the bottom, it says, “(…) Just the music and the feeling that I was everything and I was also nothing. Really… who needs drugs?” This could show how power our passions can be. In Rina’s case, it could make her feel like everything and nothing all at once.  

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“Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos, and Me” Questions Part 1

On the very first panel of page 28, Rina’s father can be seen staring off in the distance. On the last panel of the previous page, Rina says that her father playing tour guide was way of making sure that Rina doesn’t forget where she came from. What do you think the father is thinking about while staring off at the lake?

Compared to the lifestyle Rina had led in the Philippines, would you consider yourself wasteful? If so, why?

How would you describe Imelda from the following quote: “I have to look beautiful so that the poor Filipinos will have a star to look from their slums.”

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Line that was cut when recording (accidently): There are many dirty jokes (...)

Also, there are elements that are taken from both Act 1 and 2

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Passage #4.2 / Connection 4

“Jenny: It’s warm under the water. come down. Me: No, thank you. Jenny: Why is there tiger? Me: Why is there a ghost? Jenny: I died Me: I’m sorry to hear that. Jenny: The girl is dying Me: No Jenny: She’ll be warmer under the water.

- In this passage, we find out that a woman from underneath the ice is trying to convince Calvin to go underneath the ice. This passage deals with surrender and manipulation. We can all relate to this since these are very much all used-to teenager problems. Jenny is trying to get Calvin and Susie under the water while their goal is to ignore the ghost. This is very similar to the Adam and Eve story. Adam and Eve are persuaded to take a bite m of an apple from the snake which is the Satan. Except this time, the snake was Jenny and Adam and Eve were Calvin and Susie. Also, they boy don’t stay in their currently destinations. Adam and Eve have to leave the Garden of Eden. Calvin and Susie were brought back into Ontario from Lake Erie by a helicopter.

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Passage #4.1

Me: So stupid how some people have four toilets and some people have none, how NBA players get a new pair of shoes for each other game while some kids go their whole lives without a single pair. Right, Susie? - In this passage, Calvin shows us the unfairness and the wastage in our society. For example, one person may have 4 toilets while someone may not have one. The person with four toilets doesn’t need all of them. The one with no toilet needs a toilet, but he or she doesn’t have enough money to get one. But there isn’t a way that both people can receive an equal amount of toilets.

- It also deals with the issue of poverty since it describes people with nothing and people with everything. It shows that these type of people can be within huge gaps from each other. Instead of showing a mixture of grays, the author decided to make it to the characteristics of these things were in the spectrum of black and white.

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Aha Moment

"I know you didn't create me. You can't make me better and you don't control me destiny. I control me, and I can ask bigger questions than my brain can answer. It's scary to think about that, but it's also a part of the adventure." - Throughout the whole book, Calvin would mention that Bill Watterson created him because the people in the world needed a Calvin. He continued to accept that argument til the very end of the novel. This Aha Moment shows us that Calvin has realized as a main character cannot be controlled by some comic strip artist. He is his own person and nothing can change that. He wants to make the decisions that will shape his future and intends to do that. This shows the strength he has in himself.

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Questions #4

- Why was Calvin against the idea that a God may or may not exist? Also, why do you think Susie was very open to the idea of a God existing?

- Why do you think Clavin brought up world hunger while walking with Susie?

- After reading the book, do you understand the meaning of the cover?

- What do you think Calvin meant when he said the captain would be surprised if their firstborn?

- “I had the lake in me, Bill. But the lake doesn’t have me. Not yet.” What do you think this means?

- Hobbes didn’t go on the helicopter when they were getting saved. What do you think this meant?

- Did Bill actually send the call to 911?

- Is soldier guy real?

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Words of the Wiser

Noah: Girl, there’s some things you can’t prove. What would prove it? If I had his signature? I coulda bought it somewhere. If I had a picture? You could say I doctored it. Like I said, some things you can’t prove. I can tell you about it. Or not. Up to you. - Noah tells Susie that not everything in life has an explanation. Even though one may seek one to satisfy our need for closure, there may not be an answer. It also shows slight questioning of faith. Our faith to others may not be as strong which can hold us back. I found that the author wanted us as well to take this explanation to hear while also applying it to the character. This way, it helps us deepen our link with the character.

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Passages #3

Susie: Ten hertz? Noah: Yup. Ten hertz. That’s what the schizophrenic brain vibrates at. Ten hertz. That’s what some say, anyway. Some say you’re accessing other times or places or dimensions or worlds, you’re seeing things in the dimension of ten hertz and it’s just as real as the seven-hertz world. - We understand that Noah is saying that Calvin's reality is just as real as everyone else's reality. But I feel as though in this passage that Noah was trying to express in his own words that it's okay to be different from everyone else. Maybe I'm reading it wrong or I'm just analyzing way too much, but I feel like the author was trying express a point to his or her readers. Mental illnesses are not something we can control like going on a diet. It isn't something to be taken lightly. Just because that person may be different form everyone else doesn't mean they aren't as good as you. It's just they have a different way of seeing things. Think of it like having people that can give you a different perspective on something you saw in your way. None of them are invalid but none of them are valid. It is like a shade of gray; not black not white. Noah: Art is the pinnacle of human achievement. Susie: Being a decent human being is the pinnacle of human achievement. - Through this passage, we see again the aspect of having two people with two different opinions. Both are entitled to their own opinions, but there is no right or wrong answer. Noah is a more dense character that thinks of his own needs while Susie is more of a character that would change herself to help others. Both of them have different views, therefore they will both have different opinions. It's like a pair of glasses. One pair may have a stronger or weaker prescription. But they all allow people to see the world. And everyone who wears glasses has their own prescription to see properly. Everyone sees the world differently. Susie: Do you know who Marcel Schob is? Me: No. Poor guy. Susie: Why poor? Me: Well, his name… Susie: He was a great writer – great. Nobody reads him anymore. How about Issac Babel? Edward Everett Hale? Theodor Fontane? Me: Susie: All great writers who nobody really reads anymore. - Our world is ever-changing. It is impossible to remember every single famous person in History. Or else, we wouldn't be able to cram in anymore information into our heads. But back to the subject, Susie was trying to tell Calvin that everyone is eventually forgotten. But, I think it's natural. In the circle of life, you live and the you die. You can't expect to live forever. Therefore, same goes for names. Once you have outlived your purpose, you are forgotten from everyone 's brain. But it's like most people in the world. Most people never have their names remembered by their society. Most of us don't really change the world, therefore we don't have a way to be remembered. Even most people in my school don't know my name. The same will go for when I die as well.

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Vocabulary #3

Privy: toilet located in a small shed outside a house or other building; an outhouse Pinnacle: the most successful point; the culmination Chauvinist: a person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism Gouge: an indentation or groove made by gouging Defunct: no longer existing or functioning Snow goon: a hostile, living snowman

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Questions #3

What do you think the significance of the car lot in the middle of the lake was?

“Man: […] They want a hill, not a lake, those two. You know the difference between a hill and a lake, boy?” What do you think the man meant by them wanting a hill?

“Susie: Calvin didn’t tell me about any islands out here. Noah: It’s a reef. Not on the map.” When Noah said that the reef wasn’t on the map, do you think he implied that it wasn’t real?

“Noah (not looking at me, speaking to the fire): Worse than an idiot to bring a girl out here.” Unlike Orvil, Noah acknowledges Susie. Why do you think he did?

“Noah (putting down his fry pan): So. Bill Watterson. Met him once.” If Noah were somehow a figment of Calvin’s imagination, do you think he’s only saying what Calvin wants to hear?

“I didn’t know if I should feel lucky that a girl like Susie would stick to me, or ashamed that a girl like Susie had to stick to me. Hobbes: Ashamed. Me: Huh? Hobbes: That’s the answer to the question. Where’s your inner tiger? Didn’t you learn a thing all those years we hung out?” Why do you think that Hobbes answered ashamed?

“Susie: Okay, Calvin. But you know what? You can’t say, youcan’texpectanythingfrommeI’mbroken. And turn around the next minute and say, ohwoeismeeverybodytreatsmelikeI’mbroken! Which one is it? I can treat you the way I really feel, or I can treat you careful. Me: Real. Just be real.” Why do you think Calvin meant when he said to her to just be real?

“For a minute, Bill, I wondered if Noah had been real.” Do you think Calvin is starting to realize that everything is not real?

“Calvin writes, “It seemed wrong, somehow, like leaving footprints on the moon that would never disappear.”” Why do you think Calvin meant by that?

At one point Susie asks, “How far do you think we are, Calvin? Will it take as long tomorrow as you thought? Maybe we’ll make brunch? How far?” But, Calvin ends up avoiding the question. Why do you think Calvin purposely avoided Susie’s question?

“Susie: I accept your apology. But she said it softly. I could tell she was smiling when she said it. You can always hear a smile.” What do you think you can always hear a smile mean?

Calvin kisses Susie. But if we think about it, if  Susie isn’t real, does that mean the kiss never happened?