The multiple facets of homophobia in the graphic novel Heartstopper, Vol. 1

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61389/revell.v1i37.7763

Keywords:

Heartstopper Vol.1, Graphic novel, Homophobia

Abstract

The British graphic novel Heartstopper Vol. 1 (2016) narrates the coming-of-age story of Charlie and Nick in their pursuit of finding their own identities. It is illustrated and written by Alice May Oseman. During their journeys, they must face many challenges such as isolation and homophobia. According to Borrillo (2010), homophobia is a multi-faceted phenomenon related to societal isolation that deserves extensive scientific research. However, there is few research about homophobia in graphic novels (RIVAS, 2021; ALLEN, 2022; SCHAUER, 2022). Therefore, this study aims to identify and investigate the multiple facets of homophobia in Heartstopper Vol. 1 (2016). A deeper investigation has unearthed 4 different types of homophobias: cognitive, general, specific, and irrational. These various homophobic acts have directly influenced these characters’ freedom and well-being.

Author Biographies

Carlos Eduardo de Araujo Placido, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul

Doutor em Estudos Linguísticos e Literários em Inglês pela Universidade de São Paulo – Brasil. Realizou estágio pós-doutoral em Letras na Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul – Brasil. Professor Adjunto da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul – Brasil. ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4745-3600. E-mail: carlos.placido@ufms.br.

 

Flavianny Monteiro Carvalho, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul

Mestranda em Letras na Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul – Brasil. Bolsista CAPES – Brasil.ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5114-5797. E-mail: f.monteiro@ufms.br.

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Published

2024-08-31

How to Cite

PLACIDO, Carlos Eduardo de Araujo; CARVALHO, Flavianny Monteiro. The multiple facets of homophobia in the graphic novel Heartstopper, Vol. 1. REVELL - UEMS JOURNAL OF LITERARY STUDIES, [S. l.], v. 1, n. 37, p. 330–349, 2024. DOI: 10.61389/revell.v1i37.7763. Disponível em: https://periodicosonline.uems.br/REV/article/view/7763. Acesso em: 13 dec. 2025.