{"id":661,"date":"2024-04-18T10:48:33","date_gmt":"2024-04-18T14:48:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/deerfield\/?p=661"},"modified":"2024-04-23T17:48:16","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T21:48:16","slug":"zhang2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/deerfield\/2024\/04\/18\/zhang2\/","title":{"rendered":"A Tumble Down the Stairs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jiayi Zhang<\/h3>\n
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Instructor\u2019s Introduction<\/span><\/h4>\n

Graphic memoirs–personal stories in the form of comics–create powerful narratives through the juxtaposition of text and image. In WR120: The Graphic Memoir, we study examples of this form that explore challenging subjects including American racism, childhood neglect, medical trauma, homophobia, and suicide. After the class has formed a community through courageous discussions of published graphic memoirs, students write their own.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jiayi Zhang\u2019s memoir, \u201cA Tumble Down the Stairs,\u201d tells of Jiayi\u2019s evolution from a childish state that she describes as \u201cselfish\u201d into being a caring and responsible member of her family. Interestingly, this shift occurs not when her parents scold her directly, but rather when Jiayi is captivated by her mother\u2019s stories of growing up in pre-industrialized China. She is so moved by her mother\u2019s past that she silently commits to taking on more responsibility, especially in caring for her younger sister. Jiayi\u2019s memoir works similarly on its readers: while she does not tell us directly to change our behavior, her skillful storytelling (a masterclass in panel layout and pacing) forges a narrative empathy that challenges us to reflect on our ourselves. The artist statement highlights how Jiayi\u2019s private commitment to change had a powerful effect on those around her, reminding us of the ways storytelling can both transform and connect us.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jessica Kent<\/span><\/h6>\n
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From the Writer<\/b><\/h4>\n

As someone who\u2019d always hovered over the line of whether to pursue art or science and ultimately went with the latter, WR120 was an opportunity to express a story through which I could employ both literary and artistic techniques; ultimately, I had a rather simple goal: to write a narrative that pushed forward a message I strongly believed in, and to make it a hopefully enjoyable read.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of my inspiration came from a place that I knew many people would relate to: a place where one realizes their own faults in a situation that presents them with the opportunity for growth; a place where one feels the sour taste of their own selfishness or immaturity, but also the pride when they finally strive to do better. I wanted to share a time in my life where everything went downhill, and it took more than just a few pushes to help me realize my own immaturity and begin to build a way back up.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A Tumble Down the Stairs<\/h3>\n