Genre
Graphic novel
Setting and Context
Ithaca, New York, Apogee, Arizona, and several metaphysical otherworldly "dream" settings
Narrator and Point of View
There is no narrator because the novel is a graphic novel, not one with a narrative; however, the story is told from Asterios Polyp's point of view.
Tone and Mood
The tone is mystical and contemplative. The mood can often be rather downbeat, but also has moments of optimism and clarity.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Polyp is the protagonist; the turn his life has taken is antagonistic
Major Conflict
There is conflict within Polyp largely dealing with what he sees as the duality of life.
Climax
Polyp is able to look himself in the eye at the end of the novel and finally come to terms with the decisions he has made in his life that have led him to be where he is.
Foreshadowing
The fact that Polyp's apartment building burns down foreshadows Polyp's relocation and need to make changes in his life.
Understatement
Polyp considers himself to have had bad luck, which would seem like a considerable understatement given that his home has just burned down.
Allusions
Throughout the book, there are allusions made to the Greek myth of Orpheus in the Underworld.
Imagery
The imagery of the novel is all on the page as it is a graphic novel. It is therefore the job of the reader to interpret the artwork rather than to allow the author to describe in a narrative images that then enable visualization by the reader.
Paradox
The entire book is based on duality, so almost everything in Polyp's life is a paradox. He cannot decide if he has been picked on by life, or if his life is a result of his own character and decisions.
Parallelism
There is a parallel between Polyp's Greek heritage and his preoccupation with Greek and classical myth and the lessons is can teach him.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
N/A
