Text and Image An Exploration of Identities in Select Indian Graphic Novels

Abstract

The thesis attempts to locate graphic novels in the Indian milieu. By examining select newlinefictions from the cluster of contemporary graphic novels, this thesis explores Indian newlinegraphic novel as a literary genre with the focus on recurring theme of city spaces and newlineits various modes of visual storytelling. The dissertation investigates pertinent newlinequestions and discourses surrounding the genre and tries to present Indian graphic newlinenovels with an Indian historical approach. newline newlineThis thesis challenges the persistent assumption that the graphic novels are not a newlinesignificant medium of literature and aligns with opinions of recent scholarship in the newlinefield of graphic literature, and suggests that graphic novels, like any other work of newlineliterature, are capable of addressing complex literary themes. The thesis deploys the newlinelens of identity to examine Indian graphic novel, to depict how the idea of identity is newlineconstructed and deconstructed within the narrative of the novels. Furthermore, it newlineproblematizes the relationship between individual and city and examines the idea how newlinegraphic novels appear to lend themselves in discussing the issues of identity and the newlinerole of the urban space in the formation of such identities. newline newlineIt is intriguing to explore the correlation of image and text through the world of newlinegraphic stories. The enquiry looks into the form, which once had the connotation of newlinebeing comical and is now being used to represent darker and more serious world. It is newlinethrough the close reading of texts and visuals in the select works, the thesis attempts newlineto understand the genre, its implications and significance. The thesis simultaneously newlineextends a perspective in the field of English studies and Comic studies within the newlinedistinctive context of Indian Writing in English.