Multiple Emblem

I chose to design an encyclopedia that contains Faulkner’s world. The bible is drawn from the beliefs of the majority of the characters within the novel and is by nature a rectangle with depth. I wanted the ‘encyclopedia’ to be open to show its contents which in this case is a cross section of the world torn in two. Each flip of the page then would show a different cross section of the world. I thought this was accurate to the way that Faulkner’s world is experienced, each turn of the page reveals more about the inner workings of his world.
The ‘cube’ in which the world is suspended is the three dimensional representation of a square and suggests that the world cannot expand beyond its boundaries. The cube also suggests that the book has a very solid ‘center’ structurally (as indeed the book is built on solid stylistic elements). The insides of the worlds, however, are just as empty as the space they inhabit. They are open to interpretation and if juxtaposed would present the symbol of infinity (8 sideways) to express the infinite number of interpretation available.
Faulkner creates a space within his novel to be explored. The space itself is solidly formed, as are the characters, but the ‘world’ or ‘message’ that he is sending is variable. This particular emblem focuses on the emptiness of the world analyzed through the religious scope (literally the world within the bible). This same world could also have been within an actual encyclopedia to name just one other domain that Faulkner dabbles in.

My Favorite Emblem

This was my favorite Emblem.

Multiple Design

The multiplicity of As I Lay Dying is best understood through the juxtaposition of the number four. Four is the first number to represent depth. As an encyclopedic piece Faulkner creates a work that has extreme depth. Each element adds a new dimension to the work and even the conventional levels such as narration are multiplied.
The number four represents the world we live in and also describes the main directions of the novel. Anse constantly considers the world he lives in as movement to either the left or the right, horizontally across the surface of the earth. Addie (his wife) dwells on ideas of transcendence; she imagines a column of smoke which rises away from the earth in a vertical movement. These cardinal directions represent the structure of reality.
Four may stand for stagnation, and on a trivial level that is true (the novel is not changing, it just is) but it is also the soundest in terms of structure. Faulkner’s deep novel is solid, it never feels lacking, and as a result it can be digested an innumerable number of times and still satiate. A beautiful novel is multidimensional, it entertains and enlightens the reader on more than just one level. Soap operas have intricate plots, but they aren’t going to be garnered any beauty contest awards.