This document analyzes different codes that can be used to interpret the meaning behind an album cover featuring a baby chasing money in water. The hermeneutic code refers to any unclear elements of the cover that require interpretation. The proairetic code suggests wondering what will happen next, such as what the baby will do after catching the money. The symbolic code views the cover as representing broader themes of capitalism and corporate influence from a young age. The semantic code examines the connotations conveyed by the fonts used for the album title and band name.

1. Album Cover Analysis
The hermeneutic code refers to any element that isn’t fully
explained. For instance, why is the baby in water? And why
is he chasing money?
The proairetic code could possibly be in play. The audience
can wonder what is going to happen next. For instance, what
is going to happen once the baby has caught the money?
The users and gratifications theory
would suggest that Nirvana is
trying to offend the public –
they’re conveying political
meanings. This appeals to the
people who hold the same beliefs.
It challenges opinions and spreads
through the audience, being
extremely challenging.
The symbolic code organises
semantic meanings into broader and
deeper sets of meanings. The picture
symbolises capitalism and corporate
America –perhaps someone (maybe
a politician) is presenting the money
to the baby from an incredibly young
age, ‘enticing’ him. The baby is
given the idea that money is the most
important thing and so is chasing it.
The semantic code refers to connotation that gives
additional meaning over the basic meanings of words.
For example, the word NIRVANA is written in a
formal, all caps,serif font – connoting a degree of
seriousness perhaps. Or maybe it is used for irony – the
indecency of the baby combined with the formal font
creates an unusual appearance. It is also the band’s font
in their other albums. NEVERMIND is written in a
slightly warped, all caps font can connote the
appearance and feeling of being underwater, linking to
the cover’s main subject.