Anderson's visual style ranges across the abstract through realistic depictions and into photos. With the help of Chaney we've thought of how that juxtaposition corresponds to a complication of history. How does the shift to color effect your reading - whether you're reading with Chaney in mind or not?
Anderson's narrative advances certain ideas about how memory and history related. You might try making sense of quotes like these:
"I think sometimes we orchestrate these things as though they were no more than elements in a story...it's easy to forget that these events will have real meaning in people's lives..." (104).
"Something you said offhandedly and forgot about is written down and becomes part of your story. People who don't know you fomr opinions of you, become your chroniclers..." (202).
In what ways do such statements both facilitate and destabilize biography?
Dr. King's extramarital affairs and marital problems are developed and perhaps assuaged in the second half of King. Anderson depicts King in private settings (usually drawn more realistically) and in public settings (usually drawn more abstractly). The difference in depictions lead to a division between King's personal and public personas. What is the significance of such a division? How do personal and public spaces interact? How does Anderson transition between the two?
I wasn't reading with Chaney in mind. However, I did find the abstract layouts of the book fascinating and the color intriguing. I found this book to be the worst one we have read so far, but the visual aspect gives it some brownie points.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading this book I had no idea about all the things MLK had been involved with- I found the affairs to be disappointing and made me look at him differently. I think in the book it has some foreshadowing about the division of public persona and personal life. JFK tells MLK that he doesn't think personal life interferes with the capabilities and leadership qualities of a man. I beg to differ in this because in leadership- everything falls from the head; good or bad.
I think the visual differences in private affairs versus public affairs is a big part of this book. The fact that the private affairs were drawn more realistically tells you something about the emotion of the book- this is what feels real to MLK. The fact that the abstraction is done in public affairs shows that this could just be a facade.
I agree with Marisa that I did not read with Chaney in mind. I don't think I noticed the abstract layouts as much; however, after reading this post I went back and looked and I definitely was able to see the difference and distinguish the colors and all of that jazz, so nice call!
ReplyDeleteI had heard rumors about MLK and these different affairs and all of that, and it made me sad as well. I think it's very similar to the disappointment I feel for a lot of individuals, though. Everyone it seems has a fault, and has made these poor decisions. Perhaps it's pessimistic for me to think this way, but I would rather assume the worst than feel disappointment.
I agree with Marisa that I did not read with Chaney in mind. I don't think I noticed the abstract layouts as much; however, after reading this post I went back and looked and I definitely was able to see the difference and distinguish the colors and all of that jazz, so nice call!
ReplyDeleteI had heard rumors about MLK and these different affairs and all of that, and it made me sad as well. I think it's very similar to the disappointment I feel for a lot of individuals, though. Everyone it seems has a fault, and has made these poor decisions. Perhaps it's pessimistic for me to think this way, but I would rather assume the worst than feel disappointment.