Feb. 8, 1868 Moonstone Image - Harper's Weekly

Feb. 8, 1868 Moonstone Image - Harper's Weekly

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.

Archives and Special Collections

Calgary: University of Calgary

Friesen, Sammi

http://library.ucalgary.ca/copyright/images

English

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