Directions: read "Life In Hell," by Matt Groening on pg. 292 of the Bedford book and answer the following questions: what is the real message of the strip? How does that message reinforce and/or contradict what the father actually says? This message is very simply constructed and delivered. How does the language and delivery of comics compare to the language and delivery of messages via traditional fiction?
Initial post due before class on Wednesday, October 22nd.
Reply to Classmate: ask a classmate a question that will encourage him/her to think more deeply about his/her interpretation of the comic strip.
Reply due by 5pm on Friday, October 24th.
The real message of “Life In Hell” by Matt Groening is that death is going to happen to everyone, and even though you may act like you’re not afraid of death, everyone is, at least a little bit, deep down inside. This message contradicts what the father says because he doesn’t want his son to worry about death, so he tells him that death is not scary and to not fear it. The language of comics is much simpler than the language of most fiction. Authors of comics have limited space to fit in words so they really have to keep their sentences short. The delivery of comics is usually more to the point than fiction because you only have a limited amount of panels to get your message across in comics.
ReplyDeleteThe message in the strip is that one shouldn’t worry about dying. The strip is contradicting rather than reinforcing because of the final two images. You can easily tell that the father is worried about death just as his son is; what the father has explained to his son has not reassured himself either. The message differs from fiction because of the simplicity in which it is delivered. The basic regards to such an abstract concept is expressed in a way that can be understood through a variety of audiences. This contrasts to a more complex form, such as traditional fiction, which would diminish the simplicity with heavy and elongated detailing. While trying to alleviate his son, the father reinforces the idea that death is scary and gives the impression that he is not worried; but the final images of the father clearly show his concern as well. Which brings us to a conclusion: we are told not to worry about death, but we are human. It is natural to wonder and have concerns about death.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that the father intended to make death seem scary or that it was his own concerns that made him disbelieve his own argument? Do you think that it is harder to write comic strips or fiction? It seems like it would be hard to condense such a real, relatable message into a short comic than it does to ramble on about it until it becomes clear.
DeleteMatt Groening was conveying something that everyone questions about life, the day when each of us passes away. By all means I think it’s a reinforcing the thought by addressing it when the father bunny says, “Look at me. Am I worried? Ok! Death? HA! So what?” The child feels reasured because even the father is trying to understand. Death is inevitable but that doesn’t mean he’s alone on the thought. It sounds contradicting when he says this because it could be taken two ways when it shows the singled out frame when he stands alone. The visual representation makes for a better understanding because as the viewer you observe the reactions and emotion a lot better than dissecting the entire piece of traditional literature looking for the actual message. Comics give point’s straightforward majority of the time.
ReplyDelete“Life in Hell” gives one message in three words: everyone fears death. However, this comic strip delivers that message in a very strange but unique way; by using the first fourteen panels to deconstruct the fear of death, and then using the last two to reconstruct the message.
ReplyDeleteBinky (the father of the strip) spends the first fourteen panels explaining to Binky (the child of the strip) how everyone is going to die, and there’s no stopping it. In an interesting twist, Binky proceeds to explain that because death is inevitable, we can’t dwell on the fact and waste what little time we have. The fourteenth panel ends with the two smiling and the issue seemingly resolved. In, the end, though, Binky is reduced to the same state that Bongo started in: scared, worried, and filled with angst for death.
The language and delivery of comics gives readers the gift of literal imagery at the cost of space restriction. This means that comics must be succinct and use both imagery and wording sparingly in order to achieve the intended meaning. However, both comics and traditional fiction share the basic elements of literature, including setting, character, tone, and plot, among others.
I feel that fiction and comics are very different in the fact that comics don't usually give you strong information about setting and character. Could you explain to me how comics present that in the same way that fiction does?
DeleteThe effects of the father comforting his son, comfort the son, but then cause the father to think about it himself. This shows that he actually didn’t believe most of what he said to his son. Then he pauses to think about what he was actually telling his son as well as what the son was actually thinking about, and the he starts to worry about it himself. He also talks about there is no hell and yet he says that the life they are living now is hell. But then he goes on to say that they should basically eat, drink and be merry for life is short, which I think that basically is the message of the strip. Very confusing, but somehow it makes sense. Since the language is simple you don’t get stuck on trying to figure out the meaning. The comic strip is just a different format that makes it interesting, and easier to understand than if it was just in a dialogue.
ReplyDelete"Life In Hell," by Matt Groening is comic about the inevitably and acceptance of death as well as living life. The father in the comic attempts to console his child, who is worried about dying. Though the father tries to reassure his child, he actually rambles on about his own thoughts on death and living life. The father is having a one-sided conversation, convincing himself of his own thoughts and feelings. Comics often use irony to get a point across, which is also found in traditional fiction. Comic strips use simple language for a broad audience, they can seem simple, but can get a point across quickly. Comics use limited words, and fewer details, but can have as many facets as fiction. Traditional fiction may seem complex compared to a comic strip, but the themes and messages can be equally strong.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think that some comics rely on irony? Have you ever noticed any other literary devices in comics? It is interesting that you say that traditional fiction and comics can both be equally as strong because I have noticed that although a comic strip may be condense, it can evoke many emotions. Simplicity expands though different audiences and we gravitate towards it. Society is fast-pace, sometimes people just want to sit back and read something that they won't have to ponder over. Comics strips are a great option for that. Do you prefer traditional fiction? If so, why?
DeleteThe message in the strip “Life in Hell” is that death is inevitable and it does not discriminate; eventually it will get everyone in the end. The father says that the boy should not be afraid, even though it is “real bad”, and death shouldn’t be feared. He suggests the boy enjoy the experiences of life instead of worrying about death, which is reinforced by the message. However, at the end of the strip it appears the father has his own anxiety about death after he’s rambled on about not being afraid of it, and the boy does not seem to be truly consoled either. In comics, the reader is given a short sentence conversations with images telling the story, while helping the reader interpret the context. Whereas traditional fiction is all words, where the meaning is found in the reader’s interpretation.
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure that the father’s spiel on death was all rambling; his argument proceeds in a very logical process, eventually ending with the two smiling. However, I will concede that the last two panels show the father in a very worried state. Do you think this expression is caused by his disbelief in his own words, or is the fear of death simply pervasive despite sound logic?
DeleteMaybe ramble is the wrong word, but he seems to jump from thought to thought without transitions. I felt that as he was consoling his son, he began to reflect on what he was saying, realizing he had anxiety about death as well. Therefore, a fear of death is inherent in everyone.
DeleteIn “Life in Hell”, the father and son have a grim decision about death. In the comic strip, the father explains to his son, even though death is comes for everyone and it’s frightening, we shouldn’t be afraid when our time comes. The father also explains to his son death can happen at any time and adds to the main reason why many shouldn’t linger on our expiration date, but instead enjoy living life. The comic strip is very simple for readers to understand. If the comic had expanded into a longer short story, the feeling of the point would be difficult, dragged on however, the comic is a simple way of capturing the audience and point across.
ReplyDeleteDo you feel like it's possible for fiction short stories to be as simple as comic strips? Why or why not?
DeleteYes, I do believe fiction short stories can be as simple as comic strips. however, with this it also depends on the author's structure and word choices.
DeleteThe true message of the comic strip "Life in Hell" is that death is (ironically) a fact of life, and that no one can escape or cheat it. The father succeeds in comforting his son by encouraging him to live life to the fullest, but in the process also makes himself worried about death. He is probably doubting whether he has lived his own life to its fullest extent. Because of its nature as a comic strip, this dialogue is very direct and succinct. A traditional piece of fiction might go into more detail about how death is all-consuming or about how to live life more fully, but a comic strip simply does not have the space to do so. This somewhat limits the complexity level of the message.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that the message would be better understood if the language was more complex and not written in comic strip form?
DeleteAs the father was consoling and comforting his son, he started to realize that what he was saying wasn’t really what he believed. He started talking to his son and realized that death is scary and that he needs to appreciate his life while he has it. Death is a topic some just prefer not to think or talk about, even though it is unavoidable. The message conveyed in this comic strip is that everyone fears death, whether you are willing to admit or not. Comic strips are meant to be straightforward. They are mean for most all of the audience to understand and take some sort of lesson away from it. Comic strips use straightforward words to get the idea across. Traditional fiction doesn’t always use this easily understood word choice or have such a clear message.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Traditional fiction doesn't always use easy word choice and give us a clear message. If this comic strip was a traditional fiction short story do you think the message would still be the same? or change the entire message?
DeleteThe actual meaning of the "Life in Hell" comic strip excerpt is found in the father's attempts to console his son about the reality of death. He encourage his son with promises of the equality of death (everybody gets it, and for the same amount of time), and the plentiful opportunities life holds (even though he may not have participated in the "love, laugh, and picnics"). However, he is doing this to justify his own existence, and attempt to comfort himself. There inlays the contradiction, we see it within the last two images of the strip, as the father walks off to bed and proceeds to get in bed, he is wearing very much the same expression as his son. He is just as sacred as son is and was unable to be at peace about death. Comic strips have the ability to deliver facial expressions, and physical actions in a faster, simper fashion. In this case the scenes of the sleepless characters in their bed.
ReplyDeleteComic strips are great for the fact that visuals can add to the intent and meaning of a piece. How do you think traditional fiction, through language and delivery, would get the same message across?
DeleteThe actual meaning of the "Life in Hell" is that everyone is afraid of death, we all know it's coming but shouldn't dwell on it and forget to live. He explains that death can come at any time and you should live your life to the fullest. The contradiction I find like Seth stated, is that even though the father seems to act like death is no big deal when he is speaking to his son once he leaves the room him and his son both have the same worried and concerned look on their face. If this would have been written in a fictional story it would have not have been as easily understood and had to be longer with more in detailed information. As a comics it can be very "short and sweet" and still get it's message across.
ReplyDeleteThe comic strip taken from the collection called "Life in Hell" by Matt Groening is about a father and son, Binky and Bongo, who have a conversation about death. The son is afraid of inevitable death and his father tries to console him. He makes a less than convincing argument and eventually brings them back to square one when they are both apparently still distraught about the subject. Groening uses the characters in the cartoon to lightheartedly convey a deeper message. Everyone, whether they admit it or not, is to some extent afraid or at least curious about dying.
ReplyDeleteMany comic strips use a limited amount of space and funny little characters to portray a much more abstract and very real message that is usually universally understood to humanity. The visual cartoon figures, short conversations, and even facial expressions make light of a real topic that most people can relate to. Comic strips differ from traditional fiction stories because the authors use limited space, pictures, and few words to depict the same message that fictional authors are trying to depict in longer, imaginative sentences. Fiction usually draws you in uses many different styles, while comic strips are like short bursts that tell it like it is.