Sunday, December 12, 2010
The Cover's Importance
As we delve further into Kesey's unique novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, I keep wondering when the cover of the book will become significant in the story. When we first got the books, I looked at the cover and tried to predict some important plot line. I guessed that the man standing on the roof a house may foreshadow someone committing suicide later in the book. Also, the cover's picture paired with the title also makes me think of "flying" as an act of liberation, which seems quite significant with the story thus far. Every time I pick up the book, I notice the blurry outlines of the drawing, which seem to reflect the "blurry" and confused minds of the patients in the ward, especially Bromden and his difficulty distinguishing between imagination and reality. Also, the burnt orange and yellowish color scheme seems to represent a feeling of excitement and rebellion, much like the feelings McMurphy brings into the ward. Contrastingly, the dark grey and black colors of the man exemplifies a gloomy tone which illustrates the sadness of the patients in the ward. Overall, the seemingly plain cover actually foreshadows important aspects of Kesey's novel and will most likely play a large role in what happens next in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
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Hannah, it's interesting today I found myself wondering the exact same thing. As I opened up the cover I wanted to know what it symbolizes and how it connects to the book. I like your idea that it has something to do with flying and I think the man flying is Mr. Bromden. In the novel Mr. Bromden faces decisions of whether he wants to give in to the "fog" and slip out of reality or try to deal with the struggles of everyday life. I feel that perhaps this is the decision portrayed on the cover and he ponders whether to join the real world that he looks out upon, or stay hidden in the sheltered house he stands upon.
ReplyDeleteI honestly have not paid much attention to the cover of the book thus far. However, now that you have brought it to my attention, I agree with your assessment of the covers significance. I too feel that the man on the roof could be contemplating suicide. However, I think that, on a larger scale, he is looking out on the world in which he wishes to join. He is stuck on the roof from the fear of not being accepted into the judgmental society.
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