Digital Object Identifier
This paper examines Joshy Benedict’s debut graphic novel, The Pig Flip, through Carl Jung’s concept of the shadow, the repository of all the repressed and disowned aspects of the self. Through a close textual analysis of the psychological transformation of the protagonist Babycha, a gambling addict, the paper argues that his redemption is closely linked to the integration of the shadow. Situated within the cultural context of the Kerala Christian community, the story intertwines personal transformation with familial expectations and social and religious values. The study underscores the unique potential of sequential art to visualise complex psychological states and positions The Pig Flip as a valuable addition to the growing tradition of Indian graphic novels.
Dr. Finitha Jose. “The Gambler’s Shadow: Addiction and Shadow Integration in The Pig Flip.” The Criterion: An International Journal in English, vol. 17, no. 3, June 2026, pp. 590-604. DOI, https://doi.org/10.66376/criterion.v17.n3.36.
Open Access · CC BY 4.0 · Crossref DOI ·
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