The childlike perspective helps drive this fact, as David would only perceive what was directly in front of him. Additionally, Small almost entirely assembles his story via moment-moment transitions, a technique which makes his world seem (no pun intended, I promise) small. This subtle technique helps create instability with the reader. Small’s parents’ desire to maintain normalcy and an unwavering family dynamic can be represented by the seemingly straight but wobby panels that encase each illustration. This combined with his moment-moment panel transitions helps to paint an image of a quietly threatening environment. Small uses static, rigid panels to communicate a feeling of stiffness and rigidity. Small paints a picture of his home that is silently torn apart by his parents, his own life being disregarded by the people who are supposed to love him most, and most importantly, himself as a young boy as he becomes acutely aware of it all. His novel accurately depicts the events of his childhood and how they alter his adult life. David Small’s “ Stitches” is a groundbreaking graphic novel that directly confronts the effects of childhood trauma.
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