Week 2 * Tintin

 

The blue Lotus was another successful adventurous story by Herge (1935) and has a vivid back round of China. According to Farr (1991), students at the University of Louvain wrote to Herge asking him to research properly on Chinese and to avoid the stereotypes. Chang helped Herge in the politics of Asia and incorporates the Moukden railway incident in the story by Tintin being a witness of how Japanese saboteurs blow up the line. In page 42 from The Blue Lotus, shows Tintin saving a young Chinese boy in the river and this is the first contact with Chang Chong-chen. Chang is immediately surprised by Tintin’s action and tells him how he thought all white people were wicked. Then Tintin replies to Chang about how Europeans still believe all Chinese are cunning and cruel, it leads to a conversation where the two characters form a friendship and helps each other. Following on Farr (1991), Herge researched for the real pictures on China and make pencil studies of Chinese dress and buildings like as an artist would prepare for their painting. The meeting with the real life friend Chang was very important to Herge and learnt about Chinese art and the techniques of tradition painting where the culture was fascinating for Herge. The cartoon can be targeted for all audiences where the comic book has more depth about the history , politics and the back round of the adventure in Tintin.

Farr., M. (1991). Tintin: the complete companion. London: John Murray.
Herge., (2005; 1935). The adventures of tintin: The blue lotus. Methuen, London.