Here's a question for the readership. I'm working on some book covers for classic dystopian novels and, in an effort to do something a little different, I've decided to use photos of real politicians and pop culture figures, people who might be identified with the ideas presented in the novels.
The novels are 1984, Fahrenheit 451, Animal Farm, Brave New World, A Clockwork Orange, and The Handmaiden's Tale. I've only read two and a half of these novels, but I like the idea of presenting them in an interesting way. And in a bi-partisan way! Books like these are often claimed by one side or another, but I don't want this to be strictly conservative or liberal. (Some see 1984 and think Bush, others think Obama, etc.)
So... who comes to mind when you see these titles?
I'm with Christopher Hitchens, when I think 1984, I see these three people: LINK
ReplyDeleteTwo thoughts: first, you're courting controversy no matter who you pick. You could put Hitler on the cover of Mein Kampf and someone would take issue with the choice. Second, to actually address your, question, you have to identify each novel's main political theme. (Spark Notes can help.) For example, Fahrenheit 451 quite plainly deals with censorship. What leaders in recent memory are notorious for suppressing information to the point of nearly being synonymous with the concept? I ask that openly because, honestly, I struggle for a broadly acceptable answer. And 451 is probably your easiest assignment.
ReplyDeleteGiven rather 451's technophobic slant, I would suggest Steve Jobs, maybe?
ReplyDeleteLarry Page might be better. Better still, a montage of Jobs, Page, Bezos, and, Zuckerberg.
ReplyDeleteThe Kings of Mindless Distractions!
ReplyDeleteKit -
ReplyDeleteI hadn't even thought of guys like Jobs. You've given me much more to think about. (When I think of F451 in this context, I think of the nattering nabob parents who insist that schools ban certain books and the politicians who coddle them.)
tryanmax -
ReplyDeleteI'm not worried about controversy. In fact, I'd love for one of my design projects to go viral. So many cool designs pop up in my Facebook feed and I'm always asking, "Well, how did this first get seen?" I even told one of my teachers that there should be an in-class discussion about this sort of thing.
Everyone forgets the anti-technology slant in 451, which has wall-screens providing endless (and mindless) entertainment to the people in lieu of books.
ReplyDeleteThe book was written in 1953 just as television was becoming big.
I should note that I have not read it since my Freshman year at High School.
Bear in mind, there is an anti-technology bent in most of these novels, as technology is routinely the tool of oppression in life as in fiction. Having read all but Handmaid's Tale, I'd say it's a minor point in each. If one were to use the Kings of Distraction, I'd reserve them for Brave New World, as bread-and-circuses totalitarianism is the theme there. Personally, I would put their faces on Mt. Rushmore.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I overlooked Animal Farm when I said 451 is the easiest. I don't think anyone would be surprised to see the face of Marx on the cover of Farm. Honestly, most portraits of the man rather resemble a well fed swine.
Kit -
ReplyDeleteAnd I haven't read it since... sophomore year... I think. :-)
tryanmax -
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, and I realize that many of these novels no doubt have overlapping themes (censorship, conformity, etc.).
I could use guys like Marx, Stalin, etc., but I was hoping to tie this project into current events.
Andrew and I joked about using Bill Clinton for Animal Farm, Al Gore for Brave New World, and Rick Santorum for F451. ;-)
Hmmm, though I haven't read it, from what I know, Santorum would be a better fit for Handmaiden.
ReplyDeleteIf you're courting controversy on Animal Farm, I think you need a leader who exemplifies an "above the rules" mentality. Someone who casually rewrites and reinterprets the law to suit his own purposes. I'm sure there's somebody like that with some prominence... ;-)
tryanmax -
ReplyDeleteYou're right re: Santorum, though I can think of a half-dozen others.
And for Animal Farm, you could also say "her" own purposes, too. ;-)
Honestly, the only person who fits 1984 to me is Obama. Not only has he enacted policies and said/done things that fit the story... he specializes in doublespeak and making people nonpersons, but he has the attitude. No one else I can think of on either side comes close to his level of smiling menace. Even when he's trying too be funny and jovial, he still comes across as someone who is watching and judging.
ReplyDeleteOoh! Ooh! *waves hand wildly in the air* Obama with a mustache!
ReplyDeleteAlso, forget putting anyone in particular on the cover of 451. Just slap a giant TRIGGER WARNING across the front.
Obama with a mustache would be perfect! Maybe even an old style one like this: Mustache
ReplyDeleteHere's something ironic for 451... Michael Moore!
Sorry, try this link: mustache
ReplyDeletetryanmax -
ReplyDeleteI like the trigger warning idea. I'd be tempted to do that for all of them!
Andrew -
ReplyDeleteI have no problem using Obama for 1984 but for the sake of fairness, I'd want to do one for the other side as well. :-)
Ya know, if I really wanted to be controversial, I'd use only people running for President in 2016 (Hillary, O'Malley, Sanders, and any number of Republicans).
Scott - I don't think it would be unfair to put GWB on the cover of 1984 given the NSA revelations that have come to pass.
ReplyDeletetryanmax -
ReplyDeleteBTW, if you want to see my other book collections, check them out!
Human Origins series
Michael Crichton collection, which was inspired by another designer who used only geometric shapes for a series of covers
1. I nominate a Clinton...any Clinton will do. They are the most Orwellian/Dystopian politicians I can think of.
ReplyDelete2. I nominate a generic, face-less "Politician" (male or female) at a podium with a generic flag/logo behind him/her.
Bev -
ReplyDeleteYou're both right. :-)
Animal farm works great with any liberal focus group, especially the 3 pig characters: Old Major, Snowball and Napolean.
ReplyDeleteBlack Rights: MLK, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton
Environmental: ???, Michael Mann, Al Gore
The Kings of Mindless Distraction best fits Brave New World
1984 is so out there, the best modern fit is North Korea. As for politicians, I still think Hillary is best fit. Her memory of her accomplishments is baffling. Have any ever seen a person who has been this incompetent in previous roles to be this close to being president? I don't think she could even get trains to run on time.
The Clintons for Animal Farm, some pigs are more important than other pigs..
ReplyDeleteScott,
ReplyDeleteThis might be a bit complicated, but bear with me.
For "1984:"
Start with a pic of frowning Obama. Good start. But have the head slightly tilted, with a popsicle-style stick sticking down from the chin. To the side and top of Obama's head, just barely visible, is another guy, but all you can see is his white and bespectacled eye. (And his hand, holding what is now clearly a mask of Obama's face.) You see him, but only a little. (He's Harry Reid, just so you know.)
At the bottom is a Bill Bixby-Lou Ferrigno style 'Hulk' thing. LINK On the left is a smiling, bearded college-style guy wearing an Obama shirt from 2008. On the right is the same guy, but frowning, clean shaven and in a suit.
Ok. Here's the explanation:
The above shot shows Reid as the power behind the throne. In the novel, it's heavily implied that Big Brother may not exist at all. He may just be a front. And Obama would be fine as the face of Big Brother while others actually run Oceania.
The bottom image I got from the character O'Brien of the Inner Party. Based on his phrase, "they got me a long time ago," it would depict a typical Obama zombie going from loyal supporter in 2008 to a willing drone of today who, despite being aware of all the hypocrisy, still goes along with it all rather than admit they were wrong in the first place.
Sorry if that was too abstract, but the thought just occurred to me.
Rustbelt -
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea, but I'm trying to keep these simple. This is a quick mock-up I made... note the out of focus photo with the eyes cut off.
I do like the idea mentioned above of trigger warnings. :-)
Scott,
ReplyDeleteYeah, I thought it might be a little much.
I understand the need to keep it simple, as in your example pic. I just wanted to think of something a little less obvious.