Abstract:

For decades, comics were marginalized as the less reputable progeny of Western literary culture, often dismissively referred to as "opium for the masses”. This perception has undergone a significant transformation at the onset of the 21st century within both artistic and literary circles. Universities now incorporate courses on comic art and literature, and scholarly research on these topics is increasingly featured in academic journals. Classical literary works have been reimagined in comics and graphic novels format, appealing to a diverse age range, and over fifty films based on comics have been released, marking a notable shift in their cultural status.

Comics and graphic novels, are increasingly being integrated into schools’ curricula, due to their pedagogical potential: their inherently visual nature enhances comprehension and retention; the synergy between art and text offers a more engaging experience than traditional textbooks; they facilitate emotional connections and empathy through detailed portrayals of characters and events; and they foster multimodal literacy skills, accommodating a range of learning styles and abilities. However, comics and graphic novels are not merely innovative alternatives to traditional educational materials; they serve as authentic historical documents. They encapsulate the interests and ideologies that have influenced specific literary, social, and cultural systems, thus contributing to shaping collective memory. Moreover, they serve as a medium through which to explore how authors and artists address and either challenge or uphold prevailing social ideologies.

To support the arguments introduced, the presentation will analyze war comics published during World War II and the 1950s in the United States, with a particular focus on those that referenced the Holocaust in various manners. This examination will illustrate the capacity of comics to foster a reflective and distinctive learning experience by presenting an external perspective on American society, thereby highlighting the intrinsic interests and ideologies embedded within its cultural and literary constructs. The presentation will also explore how comics reveal the preferences for certain perspectives and narrative styles, and how literary frameworks are judged as "appropriate" or "inappropriate" for depicting profound human experiences such as the Holocaust. Moreover, since literary forms are acknowledged as expressions of collective consciousness during specific historical periods, the presentation will show how comics can provide insights into how narrative forms can both reflect and influence societal views and historical memory.

Keywords:

Pedagogy, Multidisciplinary Studies, Secondary Education, Pedagogical Innovations.