Man, I have been trying to get the Graphic Novel Book Club to read Craig Thompson's Blankets since its inception. I read it back in high school, was devastated, and also thoroughly enjoyed it. Its an autobiographical tale of first love that is honestly and sometimes comically told. Blankets is full of motifs and symbolism; many of the questions below reflect this.
The book club for Blankets will meet on at Koelbel Library on Thursday June 9th at 7:00 p.m.
1. What is the significance of blankets?
2. What is the importance of Craig's brother in the story?
3. Describe Thompson's art style. What does he do differently than other graphic artists?
4. Blankets seems to be a love it or hate it type of graphic novel. Why is this? Is there something in the story that some readers connect to more than others?
5. Imagine Blankets had been written without the Christian influence. Could it have been the same story? What would have happened differently?
6. Why was the separation of Craig and Raina so sudden?
7. Compare how teenagers are portrayed in Blankets versus other graphic novels we've read such as Black Hole and Locke and Key?
8. What do you think of the concept of "first" love? Is it truly love or just getting used to being truly close to someone for the first time?
9. What is the importance of Raina's parents' divorce?
10. What is the importance of weather and snow?
11. Why did Craig draw a tree in Raina's bedroom?
12. Once Craig and Raina finally acknowledge their sexual desire for each other, what does the following swirly floating art sequence represent?
13. Blankets has been challenged and censored in libraries. Why?
14. What is the significance of the last line of the graphic novel, "How satisfying it is to leave a mark on a blank surface. To make a map of my movement--no matter how temporary."
15. Going along with the above question, things being in a temporary state seems to be a theme in Blankets. What other examples can you think of? Why is this important?
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