Assignment #8

Alan Moore’s graphic novel Light of Thy Countenance might not normally be considered a literary text. Many people hear the phrase “graphic novel” and automatically think of comic books and children and so dismiss its possible literary relevance. However, this graphic novel, and possibly many others have a very literary form. One might be surprised at what elegant and difficult language Alan Moore uses to paint a picture, which brings his story of the role television plays in our lives. The novel speaks on this topic using many literary devices, amongst these are figurative language and point of view. Not to mention that Moore is providing a great social commentary through this graphic novel. The question really arises, what could possibly make this not literary? It seems foolish to think that if something has a lot of pictures and it’s text is broken up into a different form, that it is not a literary text. Not to mention that the pictures are not mere cartoons or normal comic book characters, in fact, each page brings a new work of art, which works with the text to add things and bring comprehension to the reader. At one point Marlene Cooper apocalypses up through space, appearing as a bright light in the distance. The pictures bring us closer and closer until the edges of a television screen come into view. This not only introduces what the novel is really about but works as a visual metaphor comparing the television to God. This theme of saying the television has taken the place of a God to many people is carried out throughout the rest of the novel.