Cancer made me a shallower person

Engelberg discovers she has breast cancer Coping with breast cancer begins Leads to depression and over-thinking

everything Discovers many meaningless things in life Begins to accept breast cancer Resolution lies in being shallow

Plot

Coping mechanism for Miriam Engelberg Meant to help those who have cancer Explain why being shallow is good

Purpose

Memoir: entire book written about Engelberg’s cancer

Humor: many instances of crude humor Support: many panels drawn around advice

Themes

Memoir is structured around the stages of acceptance

Memoir changes tone as it progresses◦ From grim to bright towards the end

Structure

Analyses everyday things in depth Many scenes have a humorous tones

◦ Such scenes imagine scenarios in the literal sense

Voice and Tone

Title was very blunt◦ Entire book dedicated to explaining it

Resolution of book is to be shallow Draws attention to the book

◦ Being shallow is usually not a good thing Very accurately informs reader regarding

content

Significance of Title

Written in 30 minute intervals◦ Engelberg only had 30 minutes each day before

work Written as Engelberg was coping with

cancer Work reflects the stages of coping:

◦ Denial◦ Anger◦ Acceptance

Historical Context

Memoir focused on people around Engelburg◦ How to present such grim news to them

Awkward confrontations with people

Social Context

Society revolves around minding one’s business◦ Leads to mindless fulfillment of tasks◦ Engelberg jokes about many of these instances

Superficial appearances lead to fake emotions◦ People who barely knew Engelberg pitied her

Cultural Context

Engelberg visited the doctors to check her breast◦ Drew a mechanic creeper in place of a

metaphor

Outstanding Scenes

Only long term character present was Engelberg

No significance placed on other characters Engelberg’s character goes through

dramatic changes◦ At first fearful and not accepting cancer◦ Later accepted fate with open arms

see things on the surface; nothing more

Characterization

Carefully placed drawings in lieu of metaphors◦ Metaphors are impossible due to lack of text

Many humorous depictions of otherwise serious events◦ Humor used to lighten up the otherwise dark

mood

Images

I personally related very well with Miriam Engelburg, the author. Towards the

beginning of her graphic memoir at first sight of cancer she began over-

analyzing every little thing and through certain possible results she began to

rationalize pessimistic endings. I too suffer from mild anxiety where I over

analyze everything and through this, break things down into smaller pieces.

These smaller pieces often times have a pessimistic nature to them which

cause me grief. I along with Engelberg know how difficult it is to think of

anything else in the face of catastrophic events such as cancer.

Connection to Jonathan

I related to the overall theme of the graphic memoir. My aunt was diagnosed

with cancer several years ago and during that time it was incredibly difficult

for her. After looking at Engelberg’s experience it made me realize both my

aunt and her went through a very similar experience. Both my aunt and her

had trouble accepting the fact that cancer was life-threatening to them. In

order to cope my aunt sought comfort in family and friends and overall just

doing what she wanted to do when she wanted to do them. Engelberg saw

similar release in her drawing and eventually the publishing of her graphic

memoir.

Connection to Ibraheem

Engelberg, M. (2006). Cancer Made Me a Shallower Person. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

References

Miriam Engelberg

Author Biography

Born January 7th, 1958 in Philadelphia Grew up in Lexington, Kentucky

Early Life

Bachelor’s degree in Russian from Indiana University

Masters in Philosophy of Education from Claremont Graduate School

Masters in Theological Studies from Francisan school of Theology, Berkley

Wrote/Performed Comic Monologues Wrote a play “Spit out your Gum: it’s school policy” Career as computer trainer at CompassPoint “Cancer made me a Shallower Person” published

by HarperCollins

Adult Life

Greatly moved by her diagnosis with breast cancer

Had a passion for writing◦ Detested her job as a school teacher

Pursued career in writing after cancer diagnosis

Historical Context

Her diagnosis of breast cancer People around her with cancer Reaction from those around her Her wanting to help others cope with cancer

Influences

Cancer made me a Shallower Person◦ Most famous work

Spit out Your Gum: It’s School Policy◦ School play she wrote with a fellow teacher

Planet 501(c)3◦ Published by non-profit

Lack of awards and works due to short career

Works and Awards

Career high: Cancer made me a Shallower Person◦ Allowed her to cope with cancer

Career low: school teacher◦ Detested the job

Career Low and High Points

http://miriamengelberg.livejournal.com/◦ Link to Engelberg’s personal blog

Interviews (Blog)

Reviews were great due to unique nature of work

Supported by cancer support groups Very good reception from the general public

Reception and Reviews of Work

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam_Engelberg◦ Miriam Engelberg. (2006, September 10). Retrieved from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam_Engelberg

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/entertainment&id=4674153◦ Author Miriam Engelberg Dies [Newsgroup post]. (2006, October 18). Retrieved from Action

News website: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/entertainment&id=4674153

http://www.harpercollins.ca/authors/29252/Miriam_Engelberg/index.aspx?authorID=29252◦ HarperCollinsCanada.(n.d.). Miriam Engelberg. Retrieved from HarperCollinsCanada website:

http://www.harpercollins.ca/authors/29252/Miriam_Engelberg/index.aspx?authorID=29252

References

Graphic Memoir Genre

Visual interpretation over literature Interpret a life story through drawings Allows one to see into author’s imagination

Key Concepts

Exaggeration through pictures rather than words◦ Drawings depict unreal scenes in lieu of literary devices

Action to action◦ progression in single subject

Subject to Subject◦ knowledge is required to make meaning

Scene to scene◦ transitions through time or distance

Aspect to aspect◦ transition in time causes change in aspect

Non-Sequitur◦ No relationship between scenes

Techniques/Effects

Important to depict who the writer is◦ There cannot be extreme exaggerations◦ Graphic memoir must maintain fact and accuracy

Distinct and recognizable traits◦ Writer’s character is distinct and instantly

recognizable

Characterization

Action scenes focus on a figure◦ Usually lack of background emphasizes this

Time is “slowed” down◦ Scene is drawn out through many panels

Colour used to draw attention◦ Often times the foreground is more colourful than

background

Action

Crucial part of a graphic memoir◦ Colour can shift attention to anything

Can be used strategically Draw importance to certain things

Colour

Can be greatly exaggerated to add emphasis◦ Things can be exaggerated to emphasize certain

details Drawn around the author’s imagination Allows for great visual interpretation

Images

Scenes that appeal to the reader emotionally

Will not make sense unless understood entirely

Context is embedded in multiple scenes

Outstanding Technical Scenes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autobiographical_comics 

http://ccit300-f06.wikispaces.com/understanding+comics+notes 

http://english.arizona.edu/public/Image/NOS/LiuTQ10-22-07.pdf 

http://blogcritics.org/video/article/on-characterization-in-superhero-comics-its/

http://grouplit2011.blogspot.ca/2011/11/oustanding-technical-scenes.html

References