Multiple Analogy

The number four is the first number that can be visualized in three dimensional space. The tetrahedron (a four sided pyramid) is the essential 3D shape of the tetrahedron. Tetrahedron SAS employs an ‘empty’ tetrahedron with no bottom as their logo. According to the mission statement the company is focussed on “[d]eveloping and designing natural and synthetic antioxidants for applications in Therapeutics, Nutrition or Cosmetics.” They work with the building blocks of nature for their business.
As an investment the business uses the tetrahedron to not so much represent growth (a spiral would be better suited) as to represent the multidimensional use of the product they offer. Also as matter is made of only four particles, the use of the four sided tetrahedron speaks to the creation of ‘natural compounds.’ Furthermore, as a fledgling company the four planed figure relates to a safe investment.
The nature of the logo allows for a possible misreading of the company however. The fact that the bottom of the tetrahedron is missing could represent transparency in the organization. An attempt at visualizing a phrase such as ‘you can see our inner workings.’ However, there is no element within the logo to suggest such a reading. The logo is in fact empty which bodes poorly for the company as a sign of possible faux façade. Also the logo is outlined in green. On the one hand green is the color of organic material, on the other green is the color of greed and money. Both readings may be accurate though. A company exists not for the benefit of others, but for the health of itself.
The logo then is multifaceted and can be read in a myriad of ways. Along the same vein, Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying is multifaceted and affords similarly expansive interpretations.

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.

Quick Design

There is no set number for quickness. The number four with its geometric square is the best at visualizing the stagnant nature of certain parts of the book, while the number five and the spiral with geometrically larger arms could represent the rapid pace of other parts. The number one could also work to represent those sections which are disjointed and yet related. A line is the quickest path between two points, and so the number one also represents the quick pace of certain sections.
Five wins out over the other numbers for a few reasons though. Since a spiral (the visual of five) starts at a point it effectively encompasses the number one. Depending on which direction a person ‘reads’ the spiral also determines the speed. Reading outwards shows ‘looser’ slower spirals while reading in shows ‘tighter’ faster spirals. The spiral emanates from the center just as the story emanates from Addie.
While five represents regeneration Faulkner’s story is seemingly about degeneration. The body of Addie degenerates, Darl descends into madness, and even Cash’s leg disintegrates. However there is growth and regeneration within the novel. Dewey-Dell is carrying on the biological regeneration of human kind in her womb. Vardman and Cash’s minds become more sharply honed and mature to fill the gap of maturity left after Darl is declared crazy and is carted off. Anse even takes on another wife to fill the void left by Addie.