ANIMATED NARRATIVES AS THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION: A SEMIOTIC AND BIBLIOTHERAPEUTIC ANALYSIS OF FAMILY DYNAMICS

Kanishkaa; Karpaga Sundaram

doi:10.29121/me9cn566

Authors

P.V. Kanishkaa Department of English, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, Tamil Nadu, India Author
K. Karpaga Sundaram b Head of the Department, Department of Visual Communication, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, Tamil Nadu, India Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/me9cn566

Keywords:

Animation Studies, Family Communication, Semiotics, Bibliotherapy, Communication Accommodation Theory, Emotional Healing, Narrative Therapy, Empathy, Therapeutic Communication, Visual Storytelling

Abstract

This paper investigates the application of animated films as a therapeutic medium of communication, figuratively communicating family dialogue, emotional conflict and healing through semiotic and bibliotherapeutic paradigms. By incorporating Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT), Family Communication Patterns Theory (FCP) and Bibliotherapy as the methodology, the study takes an interdisciplinary perspective to address emotional and communicative features of three animated movies: Finding Nemo (2003), Inside Out (2015) and Spirited Away (2001). The analysis of visual and verbal semiotic codes was conducted by means of qualitative content analysis so as to identify the meanings of constructing and resolving family communication and showcasing emotions.

According to the findings, there is emotional change through adaptive communication and symbolic narrative in the movies. Overprotective-empathetic change in Finding Nemo is a kind of communicative deviating and then convergence to a communicative convergence as a healing process of relationships occurring in the form of trust. Inside Out explains the emotional fusion in the self, which the reconciliation of Joy and Sadness represents emotional literacy and balance. The adaptive communication in Spirited Away provides freedom of choice and also builds an identity, represented by name and space. The analysis of the FCP Theory implies that the higher the level of conversation orientation and the lower the level of conformity, the higher the empathy and relational openness. The Reading Therapy school of thought emphasizes the curative role of such stories, which include the viewers in identification, catharsis and discernment, hence turning animation into a tool of emotional self-exploration.

In general, the research paper adopts the conclusion that the animated stories are a type of visual reading therapy in which symbolic communication and telling of stories can be used to build empathy, resilience and mental development. The paper that consists of communication theory, semiotics and narrative therapy contributes to the understanding of animation as a form of art and a way of therapy that allows people to feel better and feel empathy with other cultures.

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