This cover for volume 14 is one of the most striking and immediately meaningful images in the manga so far. The cover depicts Norman, dressed as Minerva sending an owl off into the distance. Fans have commonly interpreted this to represent that Norman is the one sending the owls seen guiding and protecting Emma in this (colored page).
However, what immediately struck me when I saw the image was how immediately and visually it demonstrated Norman’s identity issues. The owl that Norman sends off to help Emma, entirely covers his face as it flies away, essentially leaving him faceless. Not only that but the owls are the symbol of William Minerva, the identity that has nearly subsumed Norman’s own, by Norman’s own free will.
Never has an image so perfectly demonstrated to me how Norman as a character, is someone who throws his identity away to help others because he believes Norman alone is insufficient for helping anybody due to deep rooted self esteem issues. I will explain more and how trauma has worsened this habit under the cut.
