Origin

The plot of Origin relies heavily on Langdon’s understanding of and ability to interpret art in order to discover and decipher the passcode that will unlock Edmond Kirsch’s revelatory presentation. From the inciting incident of Kirsch’s murder to the climatic broadcasting of the presentation in the third act, Langdon’s sole aim is to find the poem that is the password. To do so, Langdon explores a wealth of sculpture, architecture, art, literature, and poetry. As a Harvard professor of symbology, Langdon has utilized his expertise in the realm of code and symbol deciphering in four prior Robert Langdon books. Origin diverts slightly from this skillset, focusing instead on Langdon’s ability to read art as symbolic language. The motif of art as a coded, symbol-rich language appears throughout the novel and serves to enhance Langdon’s characterization and reenforce the theme of Dialogue as the Foundation of Progression.

Dan Brown entices readers to consider a deeper appreciation for and understanding of modern art by using a reluctant, classicist Langdon to decode modern art in the context of the language of classical art. For example, the massive spider statue titled Maman at the Guggenheim in Bilbao is “the perfect example of the classical notion of