American graphic Novel: Multimodality and Identity

Abstract

The graphic novel is considered as a multimodal text — a complex of verbal and visual components. The differences between comics and graphic novels are explained. The definition of the concept of “multimodality” is given, and the main approaches to the study of a multimodal text are described. Attention is paid to the issue of identity in a multicultural aspect. On the example of a specific autobiographical graphic novel, the discursive construction of identity by visual and linguistic means is analyzed. The expediency of using critical discourse analysis to understand verbal and non-verbal connections, visual images and communications, as well as text and context is substantiated. To study the linguistic modality of the graphic novel, the methods of linguo-stylistic, lexico-semantic and contextual analysis of the literary text were used, while the iconic components were considered using the methods of observation, interpretation and comparison with the text. The sociocultural dominants of food and appearance were revealed in the novel, which contributed to the convergence of stylistic and iconic means of expressing meaning. Examples of combining linguistic, metalinguistic and visual aspects of expressing aspects of identity in the space of the American graphic novel as a multimodal text are given. The novelty of the study is seen in the demonstration of identity markers in a multimodal text.