The Potential of the Graphic Novel. Enquiry on the Graphic Novel in the Contemporary Climate Change Scenario.

Abstract

The present work will provide with an enquiry on the potential the graphic novel has, as the ideal literary medium to approach the climate change debate. Since the undeniable relevance the current climatic crisis has in our lives, which is questioning every aspect not only of our social, political, and economic systems, but also of our cultural constructs, the question is, what is the role of literature? What can be its function in the present uncertain global scenario? How can it affect the readership and stimulate awareness and action? An answer to these and other correlated questions is the aim of this dissertation. Indeed, the attempt is to demonstrate that literacy has still something to say in the compelling climate change debate, and that it can prove its efficiency through the graphic novel. After a brief presentation of the genre, its evolution and development through history, its newly acquired academic interest, there will be discussed its ecocritical and postcolonial implementation. For this reason, mention will be made to relevant examples already analysed by the critics, in order to contextualise the analysis here performed and based on the personal reading experience of the author of some recent works from the anglophone world. In the conclusion, there will be some final considerations on the effectiveness of the graphic novel as host medium to elaborate the complexity of the climatic crisis and on its potential to generate awareness and action.