Sexual Themes in Awkward and Definition

    Sexual Themes within Ariel Schrag's graphic novel I find to be very explorative. Ariel is very unsure of her sexual identify throughout both Awkward and Definition. She is entering into high school that has a great deal of pressure to fit into the norm. Making it hard for her to come out and accept her attraction to females. In Awkward especially we see how obsessed she becomes with Michael, this desire to receive attention from a boy and without it she feels lost. She is looking to feel accepting from his affection but never fully receives what she thinks she needs.

    In comparison between Awkward and Definition there is a great difference in detailed illustrations. Especially in sexual context Awkward has scenes of sexual interactions but without showing nudity. While Definition has a very in your face approach and detailed nudity. When reading Awkward there is still a great deal of honesty that is not expected. She exposes her first sexual experiences with her readers. Thinking the first book is honest brings a surprise when reading Definition because the detail and sexual exposure grows even greater. Overall Ariel brings a unique and honest take on her sexual experiences. I find this to be a brave thing to come forward and share at such a young age which made me appreciate her as a writer even more.    

We see in many instances throughout the Ariels experiences she has a much stronger appeal and desire towards women. I find her attraction towards female musicians a strong indicator that she is far more interested in the female sex. For instant when Ariel sees No Doudt in concert she faints and when she is brought back stage and meets with Gwen she is taken back so much she is almost speechless. I feel she has a stronger interested in women because the reaction she has to women is the same reaction I have to men. Especially in the case of musicians her expressed feelings indicate she will result in being a Lesbian.  



No Doudt

- Claire