Watchmen The Novel Analysis

Positioning of Figures

In groups of 2-3 look at pictures from the first chapter and examine the positioning of figures and objects in the frames and comment about what that positioning signifies. Is a figure marginalised? What items are within the design? How do these features relate to overall meaning? Is there a symbol in the frame and where is it positioned? How is the picture designed so that we notice the symbol/figure/object?

Example #1:

When looking at the imagery of the first chapter of the first Watchmen Novel and the positioning of figures and objects in the frames, it gives plenty of signification as to the underlining meaning behind the design, meaning, symbolism and more. One of the first frames to be considered on its positioning is the very first frame with chapter 1’s cover. With the Watchmen logo of the yellow smiling face badge with the blood the figure is marginalised in a way to perhaps signify the ending of the novel of the fore-coming doomsday. The washing down blood  and the downward movement could mean the fact that things aren’t going to be smiling and that behind all the smiles, the blood and horror will be uncovered on the streets, in this case New York City, with further signifying in the blood splat on the front being that all the blood washing way is all our human race problems but the little blood splat to perhaps show how small we are or it could signify the reverse in that what we feel are small problems with the small blood splat, we can try and hide with smiles but soon our problem and pains will be under covered by ourselves and the streets will be covered in the blood which could further back up the point that without the marginalising that this could mean the end of the book before it has even begun. As for the design aspect, the smiling badge isn’t shown in its entirely, which makes you wonder whether the smiling face will be one half smiling, one half sad, whether there Is other blood or features on it, such as dirt and more which could change the overall meaning too. Lastly, the “doomsday clock” is in the top left corner, which makes you wonder when reading the novel for the first time, nor watching the film, why the clock is positioned there. It could be positioned for a design aspect to show the clock slightly move minute by minute per chapter in order to show a sense of progression and not only that, the sheer size of the clock is quite small, meaning it could increase in size gradually with the impact of doomsday approaching nearer and nearer or to just keep that part of the story subtle so you don’t notice and instead concentrate on the characters, the environment, items of interest and more instead of the underlining theme of the doomsday clock.

Insert: Watchmen The Novel, Chapter 1 frame, left position, full frame, Page 0

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