An Analysis of Trauma Representation in Comics: Fun Home and No Towers

This essay conducts a comparative analysis of trauma representation in two graphic novels: Alison Bechdel's *Fun Home* and Art Spiegelman's *In the Shadow of No Towers*. The analysis focuses on how trauma is explicitly and implicitly developed within the narratives, employing Scott McCloud's *Understanding Comics* as a framework to explore the transitions of trauma. *Fun Home* is examined for its visual narrative's depiction of trauma, sexuality, and gender issues, including abuse and secrecy, highlighting the intertwining of past and present experiences. *In the Shadow of No Towers* explores the traumatic memory of 9/11, addressing its discourse and limitations, as well as the interplay between political ideologies and individual experiences. The essay discusses how the graphic novels navigate the complexities of trauma, including its impact on identity, memory, and societal responses, offering insights into narrative techniques and thematic development.