Ghost World is a graphic novel written and illustrated by David Clowes, an American cartoonist, and illustrator. It centers around the lives of two teenaged, best friends meandering around the makings of a suburban town. Highly acclaimed, a true masterpiece of art and script, possibly Clowes' best, Ghost World made it to the big screen with a slightly astray plot.
The comic has a specific-color-only vibe and explores friendship; what makes it, breaks it and everything in between. It is still a major favorite of the masses out there and inspires its readers even today.
I feel like it was one of the best graphic novels I have ever read—it is a total must read.
Here are 5 things Ghost World teaches us or reminds us of that we should totally stick to.
Warning: Spoilers ahead.
1. Friendships Don't Last Forever.
True to the core. Rifts form between Enid and Rebecca, friends we assumed would always stay friends. They begin to drift apart and eventually, by the end of the series, Enid leaves. Even the best of friends can find themselves tangled up in complicated webs of mild jealousy that may cause irrevocable consequences.
There is much speculation as to what the ending of the series meant. But one is all too obvious, the Ghost Girls from Ghost World were no longer as much of friends as they previously were.
2. There Is More to People Than They Let On.
Enid and Rebecca go about observing people, this is usually followed by a comical mockery of the subject of their scrutiny. They are probably right about the people around them most of the time. But as friends, they do not know all of each other. Both girls hold on to some things the other has no clue about.
Taking people as they are, especially when they are not your friends (unlike these two) can be a dangerous game to play.
3. We Should Be Grateful for the Things We Have.
To my understanding, these girls break up over a crush they both share and a prospect of a better future. While one explores the unknown (an entrance exam, really) to give a meaningful life a shot, the other longs to accompany her. This is not reciprocated (it is and kind of isn't) and the resulting consequences shatter the foundations Enid and Rebecca's friendship stood on.
Wishing, probably, for things to go back the way they were, we see Enid at the end looking at Rebecca with the boy they both have feelings for and then walking away from the life she knew.
4. Sometimes, Your Parents Are the Friends You Need.
Both girls find solace in the company of their parents—or a guardian, was it, in one case?—when they least expect to find it. We see Enid with her father comforting her as she cries into his lap—or was it his shoulder?—when Rebecca isn't there for her, or rather is an indirect cause of the situation itself.
Never take your parents for granted.
5. Always Embrace and Accept Yourself the way you are.
Enid is met by rude remarks—such as "dyke"—and is often portrayed as the rowdie, rebellious one of the duo. And yet we see her owning it all. The head mask, the sassiness, and everything. Owning ourselves the way we are supposed to is kind of the whole point of making it out there? Aye, it is.
I definitely would recommend more of Daniel Clowes.
