Becoming Unbecoming: Graphic novel, gender-based violence and resistance

Abstract

Becoming Unbecoming is an autobiographical graphic novel about Una – from childhood until adulthood. Una suffered gender violence during her youth and struggled to overcome trauma and raise her own family. Nowadays she is using her art to raise awareness about gender-based violence. At the present work, graphic novel is understood as social practice (FAIRCLOUGH, 1989; 2006) since there is a two-way relationship between the texts produced in society and the social and political context in its surroundings. The graphic novel under analysis creates, reinforces and spreads an important awareness discourse on gender violence and its naturalization, physical and subjective forms of violence and blaming of the victim, topics relevant to feminist studies even today. In this sense, the present work reflects upon matters related to gender violence under the perspective of Gender Studies and Critical Discourse Analysis. Investigating how language is used in the construction of this goal means challenging power and oppression relations that are still present in the contemporary world.