As you may have noticed I continuously make reference to novels containing the first hand experiences of individuals living in the midst of war and violence. Such as Marjane Satrapis recollection of her childhood during the Islamic Revolution.
While reading books that embody fragments of these historically significant events debates arise over who has the right to document them, individuals with first hand experience or the outsider looking in? Authors attempt to write books on said incidents and act as if they can accurately express the feelings of pain and suffering that accompany the War. I initially found these attempts to be offensive, until coming across Safe Area Goražde By reporter Joe Sacco; a graphic novel that displays horrific incidents acted out during the War in Eastern Bosnia. Upon realizing Joe was a reporter I was unsure as to whether his story would truthfully encompass these events. Surely (I though to myself) it is not difficult to go somewhere, take some photos, gather some “juicy” stories and publish the findings to make a great deal of money.
The more I read the more I realized that the stereotypes I created in my own mind embodied everything that Joe Sacco was not. He visited the safe area many times, and developed strong, personal relationships with a countless number of individuals. Page 103 displays one of these relationships; Joe states “I was as close as I came in Bosnia to bursting in to tears” his love of Riki is expressed through pain that overwhelms him while watching his friend leave. I assumed he created this novel for his own benefit, but in reality he documented these memories and recollections because he wanted to help the people of Goražde. Joe served as a symbol of hope and movement as expressed on page 57, people got close to him because they assumed that he would get them out.
By documenting and publishing their reality he was able to help them; he uncovered the Real Truth, stressing through his writing that these are not over exaggerations. Although Sacco did not experience these incidents first hand he continuously reminds the reader that he is an outsider looking in simply serving as a “means of transport” for the Real Truth. Through his documentation of these accounts Joe gives an alternate and rare perspective on War, proving that if done right these historic events can be documented by outsiders in a beneficial way.
Sophia, nice job. This was very well written, I enjoyed reading what you had to say.
In essence (correct me if I’m wrong) Sacco is a liaison that connects the present day reader with the atrocities that happened in Bosnia. Therefore, his job is to give unadulterated accounts of events that he was reporting on. But as you professed, Sacco is an outsider looking in. Albeit, one can make the claim that his presence was beneficial; there are still limits to his understanding of the nuances of everyday Bosnian life. As an outsider, regardless of how cordial or hospitable your hosts may be, you are still a guest. It is impossible to fully assimilate. Truthfully, I challenge the notion that graphic narratives such as, Persepolis and Safe Area Gorazde, are a sub-genre apart of the larger genre known as non-fiction. I believe works as such are pieces of historical fiction, as they are inherently limited. So Sophia, do you really think Sacco conveys the “Real Truth”? More importantly, do you think graphic narratives as a genre, can portray “Real Truth”?.
Your point makes complete sense. I didn’t experience this event so I don’t think I would ever actually know what the “real truth” is. I think that the graphic narratives as a genre offer an alternative and refreshing take on incidents such as these. It offers readers a new perspective that might not be attainable through the typical novel.