Affection is not a Science

This chapter of the book was definitely a lot slower than its engrossing introduction. I found myself having to read some of the same parts over and over again, because my eyes would physically see the words, but the concepts behind them were just not registering. (I’m not exactly a science person) However, as a result, I gained a newfound appreciation for the actual artwork of the story. So often in graphic memoirs/novels, the illustrations serve only as a tool of help the reader get a basic understanding of the setting, and are disregarded when the words draw you in immediately to the next frame. However, because in this instance the words were somewhat uninteresting, I was able to not only acknowledge the art, but really examine it and its fascinating minuscule details.

Some of the frames that grabbed my attention right off the bat, were the pictures on pages 38-41. I found it very interesting that it began as just a distant and almost forlorn Earth surrounded by darkness, but as you go on, Squarzoni begins to close in on the planet, and later, the pastoral and undeniably beautiful shots of the nature within it. (I also noticed that a lot of the scenes had snow or ice in them, which reminded me of the movie that we began watching in class.) Many of the pictures were highlighted by rays of sunlight, and abundant with little pencil streaks that were supposed to epitomize the countless leaves and branches, that decorate the otherwise, plainer elements of nature. This created an awe-inspiring tone, but in turn, accentuated the bleak scientific realities that went along with the pictures.

Another thing that I noted, was that in this chapter, he assimilates actual photographs into some of the frames. One such example that really struck me, was the picture of the landfill on page 60. This really confirmed the sobering essence of the problem we are facing, because it was a clear cut representation of our lack of accountability in finding an effective solution to conservatively dispose of waste. Page 65 also shows the direct impact of our everyday harm to the environment by showing homes, that look just like ours, emitting the same hazardous gasses into the atmosphere, with the people residing in them, most likely ignorant and unaware as ever.

Around page 68, the story begins to center back on the voice of Squarzoni. The last two pages of the chapter were very tranquil and sublime, and drew me back into the words of the story. He concludes, stating that he will most likely create an entirely different book, to delve into the implications that continuing in our destructive habits, will have on the environment. Overall, the chapter made me feel very pensive and somehow increased my appreciation for the simplicity of Earth’s small treasures. The stars, the forests, the ponds, the mountains and the rain, the leaves that litter the ground and crunch underneath our feet- these are all little gifts that make us smile every now and again, and this chapter made me realize that I wouldn’t mind really fighting for a cause like this. And I don’t need depressing scientific facts to remind me to care about the Earth; all the inspiration I need lies in the image outside my window.