The study of narrative, or narratology, can be applied to a graphic novel. This hybrid narrative form, which combines words with sequential visual images, can be analyzed in the same way that other narrative forms such as novels and even films can be analyzed. By using a specific graphic novel to analyze its plot, setting, atmosphere, and character, a closer examination of that graphic novel can be made. This closer examination will demonstrate whether there is legitimacy to the narrative form or whether a graphic novel is nothing more than an exaggerated phrase to describe something many believe to be a juvenile, commercialized form of marketing. The graphic novel that will be examined is Ghost World by Dan Clowes. This graphic novel was chosen for its simplistic pop style, which is sometimes seen as low art, and its adolescent themes. Ghost World is a depiction of two girls in the summer between high school and college. They wander almost aimlessly in their world until the end of the summer, when they must make decisions about their future. Charting the Path When studying a narrative, we examine the events that occur. These events include what happened at the beginning, middle, and end of the story. These events are considered the plot or topic of the story. This discussion of plot takes into consideration the order in which events are depicted in relation to when they occurred and how these events are depicted in terms of setting a pace that can be used as a reference. In terms of plot comparison, simply listing the events as they are depicted may mean nothing more than an objective list of things that happen over the course of the narrative. It says nothing about the... half of the paper... stolen. This type of movement does not require a panel change. In fact, a panel change may have distracted the reader from this notion, placing the focus on something more tangible such as an action sequence or even a faster pace. Conclusion Having a flashback within a flashback would be a difficult thing to achieve in a narrative format like this. like a novel or a short story. The immediacy of visual cues compared to verbal cues helps distinguish something that happened in the past, the conversation between Enid and Melora, and the event that was depicted in the conversation between the two girls. Since both events occurred in the past, it is difficult to say the least to rely on verbal clues alone to indicate the narrative order of events. Works Cited Schmidt, Andy. The insider guide to creating comics and graphic novels. Cincinatti, Ohio: Impact. 2009