Week 1 blog Tintin

How does Farr (1991) justify Tintins appeal to adults?

According to Farr (1991), although, Tintin’s series are adventurous illustrated books, there are some reasons why Tintins appeal not only to children but also adults. First of all, there were high quality of narratives and strong story lines based on the real world. In addition, because of Herge was a perfectionist, he prepared and managed until he was satisfied. His illustrates were so detailed linked to real world and it could be described as ‘Tintinesque’ that adventures in the everyday life. Readers also can find real historical events and facts which contain political satire, parody, puns and prescience. For example, Pearl Harbour or the first manned landing on the Moon. To conclude, these lead that Tintins have been popular generation to generation and readers may see something new every reading hero not exhaustible.

How might herges The Blue Lotus address or relate to what Said (1997) terms ‘Orientalism’?

There might be two points of The Blue Lotus relate to what said terms ‘Orientalism’. First of all, according to Said (1997, p.88), ‘Orientalism as a Western style for dominating, restructuring, and having authority over the Orient.’ In the Blue Lotus, the Chief of Police of the Shanghai international settlement, Western person, appeared who had power there in China. Also, Said (1997) states that ‘…power moral (as with ideas about what ‘we’ do and what ‘they’ cannot do or understand as ‘we’ do). In the book, after a western person had clashed with a Chinese man, he talked to other western two men ‘What’s the world coming to? Can’t we even teach that yellow rabble to mind their manners now” It’s up to us to civilize the savages! We soon won’t have any control at all … and look what we’ve done for them, all the benefits…’ This conversation revealed their western power moral which their moral was superior to orient one.

References

Farr, Michael. (1991). Introduction. In Tintin: the complete companion (pp.8-9).

London: John Murray.

Said, E. (1977) Orientalism. In Ashcroft, B. Griffiths, G. & Tiffin, H. (Ed.), The Postcolonial Studies Reader (pp. 87-91). London: Routledge.