Let’s talk Bayou.
You might want to consider starting off with a few details about your approach to the comic itself: is this your first time reading a comic? On the web? If you’re already a comics reader, how does Bayou compare to others? Perhaps you’re a teacher, an artist, a history buff. In other words, what shapes your reading of this work?
1. Any thoughts on the relationship between Lee and Lily? I think that there is more conveyed about their “friendship” through the wordless panels than anything else. Lee’s silence is especially painful as Lily talks and acts unthinkingly. I was struck by the sequence on page 11, where Lily remarks upon Billy’s death (“My mama…said a nigger boy got no business whistlin’ at no white women”) right before she whistles herself. For me that awkward little whistle is a reminder of the fragile and arbitrary nature of the power for which Billy was sacrificed.
2. What about the story’s use of history? In the first 32 pages, we only see a hint of the magical netherworld that surrounds the bayou, but we do get several historical references: segregation and the sharecropping system, a blueswoman at the Mississippi juke joint, and of course, the extended allusion to the death of Emmett Till (as the paperback points out, Billy’s original name was “Emmet”). In your view, are there meaningful nuances here or are the historical references too one-dimensional and contrived? I was initially concerned that the story was too formulaic, from the white child’s predictable attempts to place blame on Lee to the image of the sunset behind the sharecropper’s cabin. But the plot begins to develop quite nicely in Chapter 2 – so keep reading!
Any other comments?
Posted by Edi on January 16, 2010 at 10:42 PM
I’m not much of a reader of graphic novels, but I do like the interplay between the images and the the text to enhance a story.
What I found most interesting here was the author’s suggestion that even when we think we understand the dynamic of race in history, that there are other dynamics at play.
Posted by Claudia on January 18, 2010 at 8:36 AM
Yes, and I love the fact that those dynamics emerge from the folk tales and myths of the region itself. There are useful comparisons to be made with Alice in Wonderland or even *gulp* Song of the South, but the story is not quite the same as either of those.
Posted by Wilhelmina Jenkins on January 18, 2010 at 7:50 PM
As I have said before, I read lots of comics in my day, primarily superheroes (Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, etc.) I have read some graphic novels, especially some for younger children an a few anthologies. For me, the art work and the story have to work together very well, and they certainly do in “Bayou”. I didn’t find it too formulaic; rather, I thought that the familiar themes grounded the story in a way that was necessary before the story took a spin into the fantastic realm.
The Lee/Lily relationship rang true to me, especially Lily’s carelessness in her words and her attitude toward Lee. She expects Lee to follow along with her decisions, even when they are reckless. My only question was whether an abused child like Lily would have been quite so carefree and foolhardy.
I have to bring up the recurring theme that bothers me throughout “Bayou” – the “hair” issue. Could have lived without it.
Posted by mama on January 18, 2010 at 9:15 PM
My partner is a big comic and graphic novel fan so I’ve tried to read a few on occasion, but I tend to have a hard time connecting with them. The exceptions have had particularly compelling story-lines with nuanced images. “Bayou” fits into that category so far. The plot is just beginning to develop, but I felt myself emotionally invested in what was happening. So when Lily set up Lee to take the fall for her locket–even if it is a bit formulaic–I had the feeling of not wanting to read anymore and yet wanting to know what happens next.
Posted by Claudia on January 22, 2010 at 5:16 PM
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, mama! I’m glad you stopped by and I hope you’ll keep reading and telling us what you think. I got freaked out by your name there for a sec, since my own mama doesn’t know about this blog….!
Posted by elliottzetta on January 19, 2010 at 6:05 PM
I think Lily and Lee have reached that point in their relationship where they’re starting to be aware of the social laws that bind them…I fully expected Lily to betray Lee, but it’s just dawning on Lee that a white girl owes her allegiance to others, while Lily’s discovering she does have power after all. I quite like the writing–the best I’ve seen in a graphic novel so far–and of course the illustrations are just stunning. I love the use of butterflies and ladybugs especially; reminds me of the unfortunate film version of Beloved and the scene where she emerges from the water and is swarmed by insects, crawling things that are drawn to death and rot b/c from them they can draw sustenance…the bayou is that in-between space of life and death, decay and growth…I feel like the historical references are a form of signifying–not too heavy handed (except for the Barbour interlude, which is then reprinted in the local newspaper). But I like that he’s playing with narratives, official and mythic…I wish Bayou weren’t so terrible looking, but I guess it’s enough that he’s gentle with Lee and awed by her courage (“If I only had a brain”?). I don’t find it formulaic at all…maybe it’s been too long since I read the Brer Rabbit stories, but this all seems original and compelling to me.
Posted by Rich Watson on January 19, 2010 at 11:43 PM
I dunno, I kinda dig Bayou’s design. He kinda looks like a cross between the Hulk and Swamp Thing.
Posted by Claudia on January 22, 2010 at 5:21 PM
LOL, Rich! I have to admit that when I first saw Bayou, I thought he looked odd, but not odd enough to be distinguished from other adults in the story. If that makes sense? He certainly works with the idea of an “in-between space of life and death, decay and growth” that Zetta describes so well.
Posted by Claudia on January 22, 2010 at 5:36 PM
Thanks so much for your comments, everyone. I meant to respond sooner, but my day job took over…! So now I’m going to try to catch up.
Mina, I’ve got to hear more about your thoughts on “the hair issue” – what bothered you the most? I was actually struck by the way the texture and length of Lee’s own hair changes during the story. (I like her little Afro when Bayou pulls her out of the water.) But I know that’s not what you mean when you say, you could have lived without it.
I also like the butterflies and ladybugs, Zetta. And what’s so intriguing about the way these insects are used is that once Billy’s spirit becomes associated with the lovely amber-colored butterfly, then all the butterflies take on new and reflective gravity, whereas before they were just pretty insects. (And I didn’t think about the comparison with Beloved; definitely an unfortunate film, but a great scene.)
I know we’ve got a few more lurkers out there…. so c’mon and tell us what you think! :-)
Posted by Wilhelmina Jenkins on January 25, 2010 at 2:42 AM
Oh, it’s the usual that we have all seen with black girls – playing with a white girl’s hair, wishing for “pretty” hair like hers. I’m not saying that it doesn’t happen in real life, but I wish that it hadn’t happened here. It gets worse later in the story when she compares her hair with her mother’s and when Mrs. Rabbit pulls out the straightening comb. Lee is such a strong little girl – I wish she had been happy with her cute little Afro and her braids.
Posted by gretchen on January 23, 2010 at 8:55 AM
Wow, thanks for posting this, I’ve never heard of it and it seems amazingly sad and wondrous.
Posted by Claudia on January 23, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Hey there, Gretchen! Thanks for checking us out. Can’t wait to hear what you think!
Posted by Claudia on February 14, 2010 at 7:18 PM
This is just a quick follow up comment to say thanks again to everyone for participating in this thread on Bayou. I’m planning to post another to discuss Chapters 2-3 at the end of February so I hope you’ll return and share your thoughts!
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[...] THIS: The 2010 Glyph Comics Award Nominees have been announced! I’m pleased to see that Lee Wagstaff is in the running again for “Best Female Character,” but I’m also excited that [...]
Posted by Coming Soon: More “Bayou” Discussion « The Bottom of Heaven on March 13, 2010 at 9:35 AM
[...] of Jeremy Love’s webcomic, Bayou, focused on the opening chapter. Thanks so much to all who responded! Next week, I’ll post a new open thread on Chapters 2-4 (pages 33-154), in which Lee begins her [...]