"Little Nemo in Slumberland" dated November 04, 1906:
Transcript of Tweets by @LittleNemo1905 (JULY 22, 2020):
A really interesting strip with quite a lot to unpack… - 1/20
First, I really like that the primary narrative conceit (established in tier 2) is the opposite of the previous strip; Nemo ascends to his position at the end of the strip, rather than descends. - 2/20
Again, the transitions occur within a very short temporal period which amps up the cinematic quality (faux-kineikonic) of the moment. - 3/20
I find it particularly fascinating that Nemo changes direction, but Flip continues his descension downward from last week. It's like he really can't catch a break, everyone just wants to put him down. - 4/20
I'll come back to the second tier momentarily, but I want to backtrack to the first panel for a second to discuss the Princess' reaction to King Morpheus' displeasure. - 5/20
The Princess is terrified of the King's bubbling anger… why? Is it simply fear of fatherly rage? Is she afraid that he will finally put an end her time with Nemo? That he will do something he'll regret to Flip? Or is it simply that she doesn't want to miss the carnival? - 6/20
I'm not really sure, but what I am sure about is that she has seen Morpheus' red hot anger before and it likely hasn't ended in a way she was happy or content with, fueling her alarm here. - 7/20
In this moment, one can understand her worry as Morpheus' displeasure might possibly be directed at both Flip *and* Nemo… He sends both the boys to the ante room to await his decision about the carnival and his large disapproving finger points to them both, as well. - 8/20
Of course, his dialogue is directed right at Flip, but it begs the question as to why Nemo was sent away with him to wait… Was it simply because he needed them together to get Flip's guard down for what comes next? - 9/20
The second tier is without a doubt the most interesting of the entire strip. We've already talked about the cool visual-gestural bit, so let's talk about a couple other things here, as well. - 10/20
First, it really is pretty crappy of Nemo to be so willing to trade the Princess for the carnival… as if she is property that can be bartered. I'm bummed to see Nemo behave like this… - 11/20
I know that we will see other instances where Nemo treats women in less than positive ways, and I recognize that in this socio-historical moment language similar to this was commonplace, but it is nevertheless is a problematic element worth challenging. - 12/20
Knowing how dedicated the Princess has been to Nemo as he struggled to make it to Slumberland makes this even more upsetting; she's willing to stick by his side through it all, and he's willing to give up his time with her to see some big carnival. Capital D-Disappointing.- 13/20
Probably of the most interest though in this strip is the red Slumberlandian whose magic words and hypnotism cause Flip to fall "sound awake". - 14/20
I'm not totally sure what to make of him. Clearly, he's been sent by Morpheus and this was his plan all along… With Flip feeling safe that he isn't being left out because Nemo is with him, he could be dealt with a bit easier. But who is he? - 15/20
The fact that he is red is meaningful. As we know from previous threads, red is a colour that has no moral imperative; it can align itself with the forces of good and evil. Either way though, it signifies power (Bellantoni, 2013, p. 2). - 16/20
As a result, we know that whoever he is, he is an incredibly powerful magician/sorcerer/hypnotist/wizard/deity, etc… He puts Flip awake quickly and quietly and does so with very little effort. - 17/20
His gestural movements across the second tier of panels look almost dancelike. Could the magic come from a ritual dance of some sort? This is worth looking into more deeply, but I'm interested to hear how other interpret him… - 18/20
It all culminates, in Nemo's ascension to the penultimate panel where the carnival is set to begin! … and again, poor Flip is tricked and sent away. I feel for him, I really do. - 19/20
This is my reading of "Little Nemo in Slumberland" #56. What's yours? - 20/20