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• 1 2015-11-12T22:21:08-08:00 An analysis of James E. McConnell's Destruction of the Tower of Babel - By Niya Necklen 19 By Niya Necklen plain 2015-12-22T00:00:55-08:00 The painting called The Destruction of the Tower of Babel was created by James E. McConnell in the year 1964, who was 61 years old at the time. James E. McConnell was a British artist who resided in London for most of his adult life. He completed many works of art for all sorts of literature, and also contributed his works of art to both the U.K and America.¹ In the 1960s, the Destruction of the Tower of Babel specifically came from “The Bible Story.” This was a weekly religious magazine that he contributed to for less than a year because it eventually was discontinued. This was because the magazine was intended for children but was too expensive for them to buy; the parents showed no great enthusiasm for the magazine.² Oddly enough, Michael Moorcock, who wrote some pieces for the magazine, says “the interesting thing about the magazine was that everyone who worked on Bible Story was either an agnostic or an atheist…”.³ Mr. McConnell illustrated his view of God in that story, that he was angry at man. I believe the dark and stormy background represents God’s anger and retribution. He also illustrates fear in the eyes of a child on the cover who is running away from God’s wrath, resulting in chaos. This is ironic because the magazine is meant to be seen by children. It almost seems as though he wanted the children to be afraid of God, or to doubt him some way. 
  
  There is some rationale as to why Mr. McConnell may have viewed the story this way. In fact, the 1960’s was when religion started to decline among citizens of both the U.K. and the U.S. due to movements towards more science and less religion. In 1964, about 74% of people in the U.K claimed to belong to a religion (Religion in the United Kingdom: Diversity, Trends and Decline).⁴ By the year 2000, only 48% of people in the UK claimed to belong to a religion, compared with 86% of people in the U.S. (BBC's report "UK is 'losing' its religion", 2000).⁵ Since then, the numbers have dropped even more.
  
  He also lived through both World War I and World War II. In May of 1957, he was able to witness Britain test its first hydrogen bomb. Other historical moments of the 20th century include: 1961 – Berlin Wall was built, 1962 – Cuban Missile Crisis, 1963 – Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his “I Have a Dream” speech, and in 1964 – the Civil Rights Act is passed.⁶ These historical events have a pattern of attempting for advancement – whether it be with technology or with humanity. The Civil Rights movements within the U.S in particular was moving to bring man together in order for peace and productivity. But, with the goal of reaching success and advancement for one’s country comes some form of turmoil. These events resulted due to someone else having a different goal in mind, in which they acted upon their beliefs. From this, we can come to the conclusion of a pattern – chaos due to miscommunication, and also tragedy caused by the unknown due to advancement attempts.  
  
  Referring to the biblical text, when man had one language, it is said that we could do anything we put our minds to when we work together (Gen 11:6). However, when God confused our language and scattered us around the earth, we lost that capability. I believe that our human tendency to strive for advancement is our attempt to reach the capability we once had. But with these attempts comes a form of tragedy due to our miscommunication of language and culture. I also believe that from the biblical text, having “one language” also meant having the same beliefs and values.

  Therefore, “confusing our language” not only changed our way of communicating, but also changed our values. This explains why there is diversity in the world.

  
  Mr. McConnell’s interpretation of the Tower of Babel illustrates anger and fear due to the life he lived and tragedies he lived to see. This piece is still relevant in today’s standards. For example, the fear in the painting may represent humanity’s fear of war, death, and the unknown; and the dark stormy weather may represent chaos. These are issues humanity still faces every day.
  
  1. "James E. McConnell (1903-1995)," UK Comics Wiki. Accessed December 13, 2015.http://ukcomics.wikia.com/wiki/James_E._McConnell_(1903-1995).
  2. "Associated Magazines," History of Look and Learn: Associated Magazines, Accessed December 13, 2015, http://www.lookandlearn.com/history/magazines.php.
  3. "James E. McConnell"
  4. "The Great Decline: 60 Years of Religion in One Graph - Corner of Church and State," Religion News Service, January 27, 2014, Accessed December 13, 2015, http://tobingrant.religionnews.com/2014/01/27/great-decline-religion-united-states-one-graph/.
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  6. "The 1960s at a Glance," About.com Education, Accessed December 13, 2015, http://history1900s.about.com/od/timelines/tp/1960timeline.htm.