Today, I was asked to compare two cover pages for the book
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro.
I have chosen to compare, contrast, and analyse the two cover pages below.
Pulled from: http://geneskylitlang.blogspot.com/
Compare and Contrast:
Both display the title prominently; however, the cover to the right displays the author's name in much smaller print. The cover on the right is much darker, and gives a foreboding mood. It also displays a roughly drawn internal organ diagram, and shows the title in a childish scrawl. This childish twist might give insight to what is to come later in the book with the kids of Hailsham and their destinies. The cover on the left is a yellowish tint, and is also relatively dark. However, it shows a boat moored to a pole, and the title is printed in a professional type print. The boat suggests the ocean, which in turn may foreshadow the seaside town of Norfolk.
1. a. The first words that come to mind with the left cover is boat...for quite obvious reason. This then forces me to memories of the beach, and past adventures.
1. b. The first words that come to mind from the right cover page is horror movie. The dark wooded background and childish writing and schematics make for a dark and scary mood that a likens itself to horror movie type settings.
2. a. If I hadn't read the book yet the cover page would make me think about fishing adventures, or a coastline. Instead, it makes me think about a strange relationship with Norfolk, England, and the fact it is a lost corner of a country.
2. b. The right side cover page would have made me think it was some sort of horror story about orphanages and strange spirits. Now, it makes me think of the cruelty with which these clones are brought to the world, only to be slaughtered for their organs.
3. a. No one is being portrayed. But, we are looking at the scene from the viewpoint of one of the clones that went on the Norfolk trip.
3. b. Again, no one is being portrayed. And, again it is from the viewpoint of a Hailsham student. However, this was a view from when they were younger, maybe 6 or 7 years of age.
4. a. No ideas are sparked by this image (left cover). It just reminds me of sections of the book.
4. b. This gives the reader a clue as to how a Hailsham student drew growing up. They acted (and were) just like any other regular human being of that age (in England).
5. The fifth question perplexed me somewhat, but I believe it would be created by a person who wished to experiment with human society in their minds. It would be read by school age students who are forced to read it for their class....or by people who take a strong stance on the matter of cloning.
Note: The Cover page on the right has the body section outlined by barbed wire, almost as if to signify their organs are trapped and cannot escape what they are destined for. The left cover page includes an award the book won which may encourage a potential reader to dive in.
