Climactic Illustration in Feiffer's I Lost My Bear


    The pages with the text, "but I know it's gone forever" have a black backdrop. This, to me, portrays loneliness, sadness, and loss of hope. The fact that she is the only person on the two-page spread tells me she feels hopeless and all alone.

    The spread stands out from the rest of the book because it is in black and white whereas the rest of the book's pictures are in color. The pages are very empty. The color that was so vivid in the girl's complexion and clothes is non-existent. This represents a void in the girl's character and personality.

    The use of space by the author is quite simple but effective. It is large, open, and empty. The girl is very small in this picture. She is on the right half of the spread. When reading from left to right, there is an allusion to a long road of sadness. There is one lonely tear falling from her right eye. She looks overwhelmed.
     

              - Gary Hansen, September 1999
       

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      Last updated: October 10, 1999