49 pages • 1 hour read
I Funny: A Middle School Story
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Symbols & Motifs
Comedy
Comedy is a central motif in I Funny. It is the foundation of the story, the primary inspiration for its protagonist, and the main source of entertainment and plot development in the graphic novel. Comedy is found everywhere in I Funny, from Jamie’s jokes to the novel’s illustrations and portrayals of the people in Jamie’s life. Jamie is deeply inspired by comedy and considers it to be a great source of hope. Comedy helped Jamie in Overcoming Hardship and Fear after the car accident, and it continues to be the main motivation in his life.
Jamie is inspired by comedy from all sources. He studies comedy legends, observes the world around him, borrows jokes from loved ones, and creates his own jokes as well. He also uses comedy to combat bullying, to express himself, and to demonstrate that he is talented in his own right. Jamie relates to people through comedy and finds it difficult to be serious. While this character trait sometimes prevents him from being genuine, his ability to see the bright side of things and to laugh at himself and the world also proves to be his greatest strength. By pursuing comedy, Jamie overcomes his fear of public speaking, makes new friends, earns recognition, and finds new reasons to be proud of himself. He wins two contests and does not allow his detractors to drag him down. Ever since Jamie discovered the power of comedy to provide hope and strength, he has been Using Humor as a Survival Tool and spreading joy to those who need it most, even if they seem to have no sense of humor at all.
Fantastical Illustrations
While the illustrations of any graphic novel act as part of the story and provide extra detail, context, and humor, the art featured in Jamie’s story uses fantastical elements to provide a whimsical commentary on the world. Laura Park’s drawings are filled with subtle details that add countless extra layers of humor to the narrative. For example, when Jamie talks about the beach, a double-splash showcases the wide variety of characters who spend time there, and the standard images of hairy adults and squabbling children are joined by depictions of zombies and penguins. Similarly, when Stevie upends Jamie’s wheelchair, a bird coaches Jamie to get back up again, even though he is physically unable to do so. Laura Park’s illustrations also provide insight into the nature of humor, emphasizing that Using Humor as a Survival Tool can be the solution to many of life’s troubles.
Bullying
Bullying is a prominent motif used to illuminate the strengths in Jamie’s character and to explore the idea that Using Humor as a Survival Tool can be an effective strategy against bullying. Additionally, part of Jamie’s journey toward Overcoming Hardship and Fear involves learning to accept criticism and pressing forward anyway. Finally, Jamie’s disability is a primary target for bullying, both because it makes him vulnerable and because people assume that he is only winning contests because the judges feel sorry for him. Stevie, Jamie’s main bully, targets him constantly. Some of Stevie’s actions are petty, but others are malicious enough to put Jamie’s life in danger, as when Stevie and his friends steal Jamie’s wheelchair and throw him off the dock. Jamie sticks up for himself and others who are being bullied using humor and distracting and confusing Stevie. The jokes fly right over Stevie’s head and leave him dumbfounded, giving Jamie a way to fight back. When Jamie starts winning comedy contests, Stevie intensifies his bullying and even spreads rumors claiming that Jamie lacks talent and only won the contest through sympathy votes. Jamie is also bullied by another contestant who calls him “broken.” All of these experiences only make Jamie fight harder to prove that he deserves to win.
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