Feb. 8, 1868 Moonstone Image - Harper's Weekly
Title
Feb. 8, 1868 Moonstone Image - Harper's Weekly
Description
This image emphasizes the overt materialistic perspective of this edition of Harper’s Magazine. Even though Part VI of “The Moonstone” clearly describes the diamond as being small enough to shine in Rachel Verinder’s dress, this image depicts the diamond as being a giant stone that outshines the moon and the background Indian architecture. The diamond floats freely and is not constrained by any physical container. If the building behind it is seen as a temple which represents religion, the foregrounding of the diamond seems to emphasize that the diamond is of even more importance than any established creed. It is not part of the old religion, as suggested in the story, but actually takes on a religious entitlement that is entirely its own. The image of wealth is foregrounded, and becomes of dominant importance in the viewers mind. Even though the magazine takes care to describe the serial edition as “Printed from the Author’s Manuscript”, it takes liberty with the story to enhance the plot by emphasizing the gigantic nature of the stone. In a magazine that seems to focus on facts, this must be a very important emphasis if it is willing to stretch the truth in this way.
Creator
Source
Archives and Special Collections
Publisher
Calgary: University of Calgary
Date
Contributor
Friesen, Sammi
Rights
http://library.ucalgary.ca/copyright/images
Language
English
Type
Image
Original Format
Print Publication
Files
Citation
Harper's Weekly, “Feb. 8, 1868 Moonstone Image - Harper's Weekly,” University of Calgary Class Projects, accessed November 7, 2024, https://test.omeka.ucalgary.ca/document/152.