R.Crumb is a very graphic artist, who puts certain details in his images, so that he gets a particular response out of his audience. His depiction of the words from the Book of Genesis, somewhat add and detract from the particular stories. He adds by being able to show exactly what is happening and allows the reader to put a face to the person they are reading about. The way he detracts is the distraction he causes by his vivid images. He has taken the liberty in being very open with the images and has not taken any caution with the graphics. 
Our culture is more open with sexuality and we do not feel awkward when seeing the incestuous acts visually. Also, we know how the times were back then so we do not feel offended when the woman are manly-esque.
Do you think Crumb should have been more cautious with his drawings? How would this caution change the way viewers interpret the text? Would caution make the stories less "honest"?
ReplyDeleteI agree with your view that Crumb makes it easier for us to connect a face to a name however, I believe his interpretations of some characters may give people the wrong impression of them. That is what detracts from the stories, not the graphic nature of his illustrations. I find the vivid portrayals to be true to the stories and actually tell them how they were.
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