Challenging Cultural Identity: The Role of Graphic Novels in Representing Local Identity in Worldwide Context

Comics (or graphic novel) as a hybrid form in the world of literature is subject of collective codes. It seeks to represent how particular (a self-representation of cultural identity) is linked to general (its participation in a worldwide context). In imagological studies, identity construction and textual (and/or visual) expression of sequential panels of comics are linked to the perceived context of the represented text. As an example of multicultural comics, Satrapi s graphic novel Persepolis (2000-2003) tries to show different image of her nationality by the experience of being a foreigner Other. Benefitting from Groensteen’s, McCloud’s and Miller’s theories of image studies the most challenging part of this paper is the graphic novel itself which combines images with texts to reinforce our imagological discourses in different sense. This research aims to show how in multi-cultural world, Satrapi uses comics in historical context. The study discovers the way these represented images have been altered. It is concluded that the code and formal resources speak by and through comics are tools to reinforce our imagological research for representation and transformation of national identity.