Robert Crumb, through vivid images depicts the book of Genesis in a way that breathes life into the dramatic stories. Having both read Genesis from the Bible and now through Crumb, I have the ability to juxtapose both forms. The illustrations animate each of the characters and bring a visual aspect to the reader’s interpretation to the book as a whole. This enhances the overall experience.
The world’s leniency and acceptance of differing viewpoints has changed, slowly rolling in and out, lapping at people’s opinions, encouraging them to accept the changing tide and allow the pull of the sea to carry them on to new horizons. It is this world view that nothing is absolute, but instead relative based on the individual, that allows for Crumb to depict the Bible in such graphic images without bringing forth an angry mob desperate to burn him at the stake under sacrilegious pretenses. Crumb succeeded in depicting Genesis through his illustrations without irony on a whole. However, there are small details such as the women that are described as “comely” who in Crumb’s illustrations do not appear beautiful, but instead robust with abnormally strong facial features, therefore making his interpretation of them ironic. Despite this small deviation, Crumb in no way pokes fun at Genesis through his illustrations but instead allows the stories to come alive off of the page before the reader’s eyes.The stories themselves are offensive; therefore, no discomfort should be placed on Crumb who merely drew the words on the page. He did not write the story, he simply illustrated Genesis.
Initially, I disagreed with you on Crumb's depictions, but it somewhat dawned on me that his is just one of many interpretations of Genesis. Since the Bible was written, it has been open for interpretation. Crumb had just illustrated what is really the already offensive Genesis. So now I face the problem of whether or not I agree with the possibility of these original Bible stories as a whole. I very much appreciate your perspective on Genesis.
ReplyDeleteI agree highly with your opinion on R. Crumb's depictions. He was humble in his illustrations of this sacred text and I appreciate how he specifically stated that he did not want to be ironic, he just want to draw. These drawings do have an affect on the way that I look at Genesis. I was always taught at such a Sunday school level and I enjoyed his way of drawing what I see now as a collection of trivial stories.
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