Elizabeth Allyn Woock uses comics as a surprising means of understanding history. Through them, she can capture even those things that are difficult to explain in words.
According to this graduate in medieval history, who works at the Department of English and American Studies at the Faculty of Arts, Palacký University, we can not only ‘see’ images but also ‘read’ them.
Why comics, of all things? How did you come to use them?
I studied medieval history and also devoted myself intensively to the art and religious aspects of the Middle Ages. It is a period full of profound visual codes that appear in images, literature and even in the physical space itself. Once I’d learnt to read these meanings – in iconography, monastic architecture or, for instance, in the poetic space of song lyrics – I began to perceive them in the contemporary world as well. For me, comics represent a natural continuation of this multi-layered visual language, where both symbolism and spatial arrangement convey meaning. I came to study them as a researcher when I became interested in how the present day engages with the Middle Ages as a theme or a narrative backdrop. Alongside this, I also enjoy creating my own comics. For me, this format is a natural extension of my academic writing.
Elizabeth Allyn Woock (* 1985)
She was born and raised in the USA. She studied at a Conservatory with a focus on music and the visual arts, and subsequently completed a Bachelor’s degree in History, specialising in the Middle Ages. In 2008, she moved to the Czech Republic, wishing to be as close as possible to medieval culture. She learnt Czech and continued her studies at Palacký University, where she completed both her master’s and doctoral programmes. Her academic focus has gradually shifted from medieval history to cultural and literary studies, with comics now the key area of her research.
What do you focus on in your research?
Most of us ‘see’ images, but we often forget that they can also be ‘read’. A comic story is not created simply by following the text, but also through the interpretation of images, composition, colours, lines and the layers of meaning they convey. Although we often compare comics to film or language, they are in fact a distinct medium in their own right. I focus on what may not be immediately appealing – the basic analytical tools and concepts that enable a deeper understanding. To exaggerate slightly, I like to say that I am a plumber of comic theory: I lay the pipes so that other researchers have the infrastructure for their interpretations.
Women in Science
Science knows no boundaries. Palacký University also regularly commemorates the significant role of women and girls in the scientific world on 11 February, to mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. It has also created a website featuring the stories of Czech and international female scientists representing the university’s various faculties. This year, Elizabeth A. Woock has also created this set of cut-out cards featuring international female scientists from Palacký University.
You also spoke about the importance of role models, for example, at the panel discussion for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Who is your role model?
I have many. When it comes to creating and leading projects, I’m inspired by the filmmaker John Waters and the comic-book artist Lynda Barry. I admire their courage to experiment and see even the most unusual ideas through to the end. But I also find inspiration elsewhere: in the breadth of Umberto Eco’s thinking, in the work of Mieke Bal, in the music of Antonín Dvořák, or in Dolly Parton’s philanthropy. Role models, however, need not be just famous people. It could also be the carefree nature of my pet rabbits, the kindness of a neighbour, or the patience of the checkout lady I regularly meet at the shop. If we’re lucky, inspiration is close at hand. And if not, it’s worth seeking it out. Role models help us to imagine a life that we might otherwise never have seen.
This article appeared in the latest issue of Žurnál UP magazine, which you can read here.