This week we are discussing Blankets by Craig Thompson, Ch. 1-2.
Spoiler Warning!!! This post is full of spoilers for Blankets by Craig Thompson.
Trigger/Content Warning!!! This book has scenes and discussion of such themes as: domestic abuse, sexual assault, divorce, childhood traumas, and religious trauma.
Discussion:
Michaela: Hello friends! And welcome to our first discussion of the new year! This month we’re reading Blankets by Craig Thompson. This is actually the very first graphic novel I have ever read; it was never a genre I was drawn to but I also did not explore it very much. I’m excited to read something that is not only a new genre for me but it's also autobiographical, another genre I’ve wanted to explore more of. Two birds, one stone. Starting out reading this book took a little effort for me since I have no idea how to read graphic novels but I think I got the hang of it pretty quickly. I was also surprised at how serious everything was right off. Definitely not a fluffy childhood memories kind of book.
Jacilyn: It definitely started off heavy, and it started somewhere that hit a little hard, honestly. As we’re both older siblings, I’m sure you also understand the pressure that sits on the shoulders of the oldest to take care of the younger. It’s a heavy mantle to bear, and even heavier when an abusive parent is involved. I read this part through a couple of times, and the first time I read about Phil being put in the cubby hole and the shame and guilt that Craig felt for not standing up for him, I got a little shaky - that’s a scenario I found all too familiar.
Michaela: I was constantly put in a caretaker role for my younger sister and it is such a heavy thing for a child to bear. Craig's dad put him and his younger brother in a situation where there will obviously be issues (I.e. siblings sharing a bed, it's a no brainer to me) and then got mad when they behaved like brothers. But then all the blame of abusing Phil was put on Craig and not the father who was actively doing the abusive thing. I remember my parents getting mad at my sister and I when we'd have an argument, as all siblings do. And they'd always say to me, "be nice to your sister, she's the only one you'll ever have". Real helpful. I'm the only sister she'll ever have too, that doesn't mean we won't act like sisters anymore.
The cubby hole was such a good way to make kids hate their father. Congrats you kids now fear you rather than love and respect you. Even more than that the parents didn't want to make the room comfortable for the boys; no fan in summer and no open windows. I would understand the cost of electricity part, times can be hard, but the windows having to be closed? That is just insane.
Jacilyn: It’s awful, for all of the siblings involved. So unfair to put that sort of burden on children. And on top of that, Craig’s life at school was just as miserable, thanks to bullies AND teachers who constantly ridiculed this poor child. It’s not explicitly said, but it is implied that the boys’ babysitter took each of the boys away separately and did something to them… I would assume this was some sort of sexual abuse. Everywhere Craig turns, he’s met with the worst life could throw at him. He clearly feels a lot of guilt for all of the awful things he said to Phil about life, but I can’t blame him. He didn’t feel that he had anything to look forward to.
Everywhere except church. Of course the idea of a creator who wants to give you heaven for eternity after a comparatively short life would appeal to a child who was so miserable. This is another place where I can relate with Craig…. The draw of religion offering something better was incredibly appealing to me, and I tried so hard to be a good Christian - both for God, and for my mother, who alternated between religious zealotry and hatred towards God. And like Craig, I blamed myself for the awful things I experienced, the hurtful things people did to me. I wouldn’t be experiencing those things if I prayed harder, would I? If I was better? Imagine that… the pressure of saving your eternal soul, added to the shoulders of a child already suffering.
Michaela: The idea of church and religion were so appealing as a child and I can totally relate to what Craig was looking for in it. It wasn’t until I became older that my feelings towards religion started to change. As a child I expected so much to come from being a good Christian kid that I even at one point wanted to become a minister. If I was a good kid then bullies would leave me alone…they did not. If I was a good kid then I wouldn’t be sad…that didn’t work either. But things always change with time and with life experiences. I no longer feel even remotely the same about religion as I did when I was child. At that time it was what I had and what I was taught, just like Craig. Him even more than me I think, he was definitely surrounded by religion during his childhood but he even had to go to church camp over the winter holidays. But I guess I went to church day camp during the summer.
Having faith is a good thing when you need it but I personally believe it can’t be what you live off of. You have to live for yourself. Craig is beginning to figure this out I think. He couldn’t just live for the hope of heaven after he died, he needed to enjoy life along the way. I don’t believe in heaven or hell but I do believe in some sort of after life but that is not what drives me. What drives me is experiences and people. I think Craig is starting to get that with Raina and art once he starts to accept that it’s not taking him away from his religious faith.
Jacilyn: It seems like, once he gets to high school, it becomes a lot harder for Craig to believe that being a good Christian is what was going to make life better for him. That’s about when I started feeling the same way as Craig, and I also managed to find a ragtag group of friends that were considered the outsiders. That’s about the time I started feeling like there were others out there that may be able to relate to my experiences and feelings, and I’m hopeful that as we keep reading, Craig will start to feel more hopeful about life as well. I think it’s looking a little brighter for him with Raina around. Until next time, readers!
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