Ghosts: A Graphic Novel

The exposition of Ghosts introduces its main characters and their conflicts, as well as the bonds that hold them together and influence their decisions. Cat is the story’s protagonist, and she faces two major conflicts: her resistance to adjusting to her new life in Bahía de la Luna and her fear of losing her sister. Cat’s actions showcase the constant state of fear and panic that she experiences, as she is always on edge, grumpy, or otherwise worried and preoccupied. The two conflicts she struggles with regularly oppose one another, pulling Cat in two different directions. She seems aware of this fact, stating on the drive to their new home, “I’m trying not to be selfish. But it’s hard” (3). Cat is learning the challenges of Accepting and Adjusting to Change. She is also still young and sometimes naïve, and this shows when she takes her sister up the hill to the mission, causing Maya to be hospitalized and nearly die. Cat struggles with guilt over her occasional failures to keep her sister from harm: “I’m her sister. I’m supposed to protect her!” (107). Maya is the opposite of Cat; she is brave, bold, and always optimistic. It is not until Maya encourages Cat to embrace her new life in Bahía de la Luna that Cat finally begins to do so, as if she were waiting for Maya’s permission. The bond between Cat and Maya illustrates the story’s theme The Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood.

Foreshadowing comes in the form of a black cat in the story’s exposition. When Cat and Maya come across a cat in their first exploration of the town, Cat sees it as a bad omen and calls it bad luck, but Maya gets a friendly feeling from it. Cat sees the cat again later when she stares out her window one night. The cat appears again at the story’s conclusion as the family finds a Mexican feast awaiting them at their table, suggesting that the cat may be Abuela returning to visit and watch over her loved ones. Cat’s name also links to these occurrences, implying that her heritage and the people who came before her are an essential part of who she is—even though she does not know that yet. When Cat begins to open up, she listens to her mother and spends time with Carlos and her friends, which helps her understand that her Mexican heritage is rich, beautiful, and immensely comforting. She finds herself especially enjoying Mexican food, wanting another taste of her heritage with each passing day. Her character arc helps illuminate the theme Discovering One’s Own Heritage. Cat’s new connection with her heritage is interwoven with the sisters’ first encounter with ghosts. This interaction causes Cat to spiral further into fear of her sister’s death. On the other hand, Maya, whose health is fragile, responds with curiosity and hope and is eager to meet the spirits again, including her grandmother. Carlos helps her build an ofrenda, and this acts as the catalyst for the family’s steps toward reclaiming its Mexican heritage.

Telgemeier employs a unique drawing style that remains in the tradition of comic book art. She uses traditional emanation techniques like sweat beads and motion or sound lines to shed light on characters’ emotional states and actions. Telgemeier also uses onomatopoeia to showcase the sounds of things like the crunch of food or the whooshing of the wind. These fine details give the graphic novel a more childlike and accessible feel. The author often exaggerates her characters as well, widening their eyes to show fear or giving them large mouths to show excitement. Telgemeier’s illustrations also aid in developing the setting of the story. The town is shown as foggy, gloomy, and dark even during the daytime. By illuminating the story’s mood and tone without stating it directly, the author can add layers to the setting that would not be present in a traditional novel. Weather becomes an important motif; it foreshadows the appearance of spirits when it is windy or foggy and maintains the haunted atmosphere of the town. Additionally, because the story takes place just after Cat’s family moves to a new place, the characters discover the town’s heritage and secrets alongside the story’s readers.