It's a Bird by Steven T. Seagle Part 4 Analysis

Written Parallel or Contrast:
Throughout the novel, there have been secondary characters that interact with Steven that are also secondary characters in his life. His girlfriend or his editor are examples of primary characters, but guys like Rafa have less importance on his life. Seagle has an interesting way of writing dialog for these characters, and they commonly set up cutaways to Superman bios. Seagle writes their dialog in a very low brow fashion. Rafa always cuts away from actual conversation to argue about Superman vs. whoever, and on page 75, a bigger guy confronts Steven about Superman: "Da supa-heros, dey know right from wrong." This dialog is less sophisticated than any discussion Steven is used to having, and it connects a lack of sophistication with super heros, Superman in perticular.

Visual Parallel or Contrast:
On page 74, there are two shots (conveniently right on top of each other) of Steven and Marco having a connection on the topic of Huntingtons Disease. They connect on a level that Steven has not reacted to in this fashion throughout the novel, as his eyes are wide open for the first time. I think because this disease has consumed his life, that for him to know that someone else is feeling the same way as him not only relieves him, but astonishes him. That is why there is a look of shock on his face as they talk about their experience.

The Frames:
Seagle sets up three different sections of framing throughout the novel. There is the dark bold black framing that shows a present day setting, the thin faded outline shows a flashback. Those two formats are all very square and formulaic, but the cutawys depicting Superman in some way or another are purposefully different. The Superman cutaways have no formulia, and can include full width frames with dark bold boarders to tiny frames with no border. They show the different sides of the hero, and also give a relation to a point in Stevens life when he can relate to Superman.