I remember the first week of school when the SMC bookstore was bustling with students trying to buy all of the books for their classes. Out of the thousands of books that I bought, I remember being drawn to the cover illustration of Lucy. For some reason, the looks of shame, mixed with uncertainty, made me wonder what the subject of the painting was thinking. Now we are reading Lucy, and the peculiar look on the character's face seems to relate to a look that I would identify with the main character of the novel.
Surely, everyone had some type of reaction of shock when reading about Lucy's numerous sexual escapades. I know I certainly did! Because the issue of sexual activities is not an expected, or appropriate topic to discuss openly, any person would feel some sort of discomfort at the thought of revealing their personal experience(s) on this subject. Lucy reveals details about numerous, different interactions with partners, which would probably create a bit of shame within her. However, a breakthrough moment occurs when Lucy hints that she is growing uncomfortable with some of her sexual practices, in "The Tongue," when she admits that she is no longer intrigued with going to the park (to select sexual partners) with Peggy. If Lucy had no opinions or concerns about her practices, she could have cared less whether or not the park visits continued. For the first time, I feel that Lucy is starting to recognize her conscious. Therefore, I can relate her to the image of the female on the cover of the novel (the cover-art for the version of "Lucy" that the majority of the people in class have).
Initially, the girl's facial expression draws me in. It looks like she is ashamed of something; for she's not facing the viewer's. Instead, she guiltily looks away to the side. Also, the miniature figure towards the left side of the painting is illustrated as if it's eyes are wide-open, as if it is stunned or surprised. My interpretation of the small figure's expression is that it knows about whatever the girl has done that causes her to feel ashamed. The issue appears so explicit and unacceptable, that it appears quite stunned, to say the least. I believe the girl portrays Lucy and her recognition of her uninhibited behavior, and the figure represents how society as a whole may view Lucy, based on her different lifestyle.
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1 comment:
I agree with you that there is something that really draws you in in the figure's expression on the cover. It's even more interesting to think about how the publishers chose to show this detail of the painting and not the entire piece.
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