Citizen Kane Literary Analysis
Fading in on an ominous nighttime exterior, the camera slowly focuses on a high wrought-iron fence with the initial "K." carved into the metal. Beyond spreads Xanadu, the vast estate of one of the world's wealthiest men.Within this estate is a dying man who clutches a snow globe with its make-believe snow swirling about. He utters one word, "Rosebud," and dies, dropping the ball, which breaks into tiny shards. So begins Orson Welles's “Citizen Kane”. “Citizen Kane” chronicles the life of Charles Foster Kane, one of the wealthiest men alive.
“Citizen Kane” is said to be the legendary masterpiece of Orson Welles, through its use of uncommon camera angles along with a plot that cover many of the topics of the century. However, to a newer generation …show more content…
Charles Foster Kane has to prove something, but that something always changes, and simply cannot be achieved. This is demonstrated by the construction of a lavish opera house for Susan to perform in, even in the face of widespread ridicule of her lack of talent. The final scenes of “Citizen Kane” exemplify these traits, as the camera pans to an open furnace, men hoist up and throw in a small sled, one Kane had as a child, and on the back of the sled, “Rosebud” embroidered on the wood. That’s not to say that Rosebud isn’t significant. On the contrary, “Rosebud” signifies innocence lost, regret, the failure of the American dream of the self-made man. It also represents the depravity of love as Kane had lost his parents at an early age and was instead raised by an unloving guardian. The burdened of too much money and power, Kane grows up with a ravenous desire to be loved despite his own shortcoming with his own concept of love, as well as his large ego and sense of entitlement of getting his way.
The score of “Citizen Kane” was one of its saving graces. Sound effects and music were perfectly timed with the cuts. These along helped deepen the feel of the movie, making important scenes apparent and even giving hindsight to what could possibly happen. The voice-overs were also well done, and help ease the audience into this piece of classic
“Citizen Kane” is said to be the legendary masterpiece of Orson Welles, through its use of uncommon camera angles along with a plot that cover many of the topics of the century. However, to a newer generation …show more content…
Charles Foster Kane has to prove something, but that something always changes, and simply cannot be achieved. This is demonstrated by the construction of a lavish opera house for Susan to perform in, even in the face of widespread ridicule of her lack of talent. The final scenes of “Citizen Kane” exemplify these traits, as the camera pans to an open furnace, men hoist up and throw in a small sled, one Kane had as a child, and on the back of the sled, “Rosebud” embroidered on the wood. That’s not to say that Rosebud isn’t significant. On the contrary, “Rosebud” signifies innocence lost, regret, the failure of the American dream of the self-made man. It also represents the depravity of love as Kane had lost his parents at an early age and was instead raised by an unloving guardian. The burdened of too much money and power, Kane grows up with a ravenous desire to be loved despite his own shortcoming with his own concept of love, as well as his large ego and sense of entitlement of getting his way.
The score of “Citizen Kane” was one of its saving graces. Sound effects and music were perfectly timed with the cuts. These along helped deepen the feel of the movie, making important scenes apparent and even giving hindsight to what could possibly happen. The voice-overs were also well done, and help ease the audience into this piece of classic