Analysis Of The Alcoholic, By Dean Haspiel - 1197 Words

Every person has to deal with some sort of conflict during their life. For some, their problem is external. Others face an internal struggle that they try to deal with by themselves. Few people deal with both simultaneously, especially to such a high degree. The Alcoholic written by Jonathan Ames and Illustrated by Dean Haspiel revolves around Jonathan, a man living in New York that has an addiction to both alcohol and drugs. During this period of time, the event of September 11th has just occured. The story tells Jonathans struggles through the event as he deals with his external and internal conflict. Ames and Haspiels work depicts the struggles of an addict that has gone through a horrific event while doing a great job at presenting†¦show more content†¦Jonathan spends what seems like countless of hours helping someone he barely has any relationship with. He seems to be doing it out of the goodness in his heart, but it is later discovered it is for his own self-centered r easons. Although he tries to care, he cannot get rid of the emptiness the lurks inside his body. Dean Haspiel’s use of detail and emphasis on emotion creates an atmosphere resembling a time of sorrow. The black, white and grey use of color creates a darker themed story and brings out details in characters instead of focusing on the environment around them. More specifically, the detail is noticeable in that of Jonathan. The Illustration is in the middle of University Place. Bill Clinton stands in the center, surrounded by smiling citizens. Next to him stands Jonathan, who looks confused and stands out in the crowd. He is asking the former president a question (Ames 317). Jonathan stands out in this illustration. Not only is he the center of attention, but his facial characteristics are different than any other person shown. His face resembles that of an addict. It is thin, boney, aged, and emotionally looks depressed. The people surrounding him, however, look fuller and fille d with happiness. Their faces are given less detail in order to put emphasis on Jonathan. The artist wants to make it clear that the main character is indeed an addict, which directly relates to the title The Alcoholic. He seems out of place and is uncomfortable