Saturday, February 17, 2007

"Ney Nostradamus!" Cover Icon


Any ideas flowing on what is signified on the cover of Coupland's book?
Update: So, as I said in lecture, turn the cover upside down, & it becomes a "?". This symbolises an important theme in Coupland's text: that Faith and Doubt are the same concept from different angles. Coupland's text presents the attitude of uncertainty and questioning in a congenial light, in comparison to rigid certainties.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

After reading about half the book, I would suggest that the person kneeling on the cover of the book represents acceptance. That is the acceptance the victims must find in their hearts in order to deal with the events that take place.

Imemythisguy said...

The symbol resembles an individual who is engaged in the act of prayer which is described in the OED as: A solemn and humble request to God, or to an object of worship; a supplication, petition, or thanksgiving, usually expressed in words.The characters in the novel express themselves with written testimonials and the accounts of Cheryl and Reg could possibly be considered prayers.

Anonymous said...

The character is in the position of somebody praying or getting executed. But I cannont make the connection between the two meanings. Maybe Coupland feels religion leds to violence? Im not to sure..

Michelle said...

When I first picked up this book I thought "hmm weird cover... I wonder what this means" Consequently every time I saw the book I thought about the cover. Everything is for a reason right? As I was reading through the first section I thought it was someone begging for mercy (not to be killed). Now I think it also reflects someone kneeling to pray. Is that too obvious?

Dr. Stephen Ogden said...

Dear Michelle:

Not in the least -- so far these are all good. There more, I think ....

SFU said...

I think, after reading the book, that it is indeed a person in prayer, for the whole text itself is a prayer... Not necessarily prayers just for God only, like the one that was covering most of Book One, but, it is also prayer for the people itself... to comprehend on the effect and rationality of faith, and of knowing a Greater Being to protect us always like guardian angels.
Upon finishing, it is clearer now, that we look at Him in different ways, and we want Him to be somebody that will fit our needs. -I think, that's why we pray.