How does Text 2 'The Ivory Trail' relate to the idea of journeys. In your answer deconstruct the visual and written texts involved.

The dominant images in this text are the sphinx, an Egyptian pyramid, an exotic background of eastern tableaux and an extreme close up of an adolescent boy. The first image we notice is the pyramid and sphinx because of its central location and brightness in comparison to the rest of the picture. The luminosity of these historical structures suggests power and mystery. The book cover appears to be set in a modern era but the pictures of the sphinx and pyramid imply that perhaps although contemporary this novel has ancient connections. These images support the already assumed location of the story, Egypt, Africa and also suggest mystery and a journey into the unknown. The Islamic architecture also supports the idea of a physical journey, perhaps over continents. These structures suggest mysteriousness, especially how they are silhouetted which emphasises the dangerous and unknown feel of the book cover. The image of the young man, who we assume is the main character, creates vectors to the pyramid and to the blackness or unknown through his gaze. He appears to be in bewilderment. The close up of his eyes suggests his power of sight and clairvoyance. The image of the boys face supports the assertion that one could argue that “The Ivory Trail” is an imaginative journey about the passage to adulthood and the maturity and wisdom the protagonist acquires as he ‘channels’ through times and continents.

The dominant colours in this text are reds, oranges and yellows, suggesting danger and urgency. These colours also convey the location, a dry and desert like environment. Red has connotations of frustration and anger, which could perhaps be felt by the protagonist. Also the use of black and purple in the bottom and top right-hand corners suggest eeriness and the unknown. The lengthening shadows present on the sands imply danger, shifting and uncertainty. The seemingly moving sands could symbolise time and shifting, perhaps the protagonist’s ability to travel through time, or that the main character would not know what to expect on his journey of the ivory trail.

The protagonist is in two very different worlds, it’s not just the experiences but the understanding of new cultures and beliefs that lead to maturity. The composition of the frame of the poster not only implies that there will be cultural growth experienced by the adolescent boy but also that there are barriers and obstacles to conquer and this leads to the basis of maturity.

This book cover symbolises that the concept of a journey may be incorporated in the novel, “The Ivory Trail”. This journey seems both physical and mental and could perhaps involve danger and mystery. The book cover conveys these ideas through the use of techniques including text, images, colour, focus and composition.