Symbolism in Shutter Island.
Sam Collins Film Essay:
2012 question: Analyse how symbols are used to present an idea or ideas in a film
Shutter Island by legendary American director Martin Scorsese is an elaborate labyrinth of a film. It's ever changing plot line and deeply emotional scenes make it compulsory viewing for any avid film goer. Scorsese has constructed this intricately woven film by using various film techniques the most significant of which is symbols. In the film symbols are used to present many different ideas to the audience. Scorsese who is a modern film icon constantly uses symbolism throughout his films to convey subtle ideas to the audience without them knowing. Three different motifs or symbols are used in the film to achieve this result. Water is firstly used to present the idea reality or truth; while fire is used to represent the idea of Teddy's' fantasy. ward "C" is used the film is used to represent the idea of Teddy's mental instability to the audience. These symbols are used throughout the film but primarily in three, firstly water in the opening scene. Fire is used in the scene where Teddy supposedly finds Solando and Ward C in the scene where Teddy is exploring the anoles to find Laeddis' cell. These symbols in combination create a very profound cinematic involvement for the audience and makes Shutter Island, a modern classic.
The story begins on a steamboat heading towards the ominously secluded Ashecliffe mental hospital off the Boston, Massachusetts shore in 1954. On the boat the protagonist, a US Marshall Teddy Daniels and his new partner Chuck. The hospital is not just an asylum however, it is actually a prison for the criminally insane and Teddy and Chuck have been assigned to find a dangerous patient, Rachel Solando who has escaped from the prison. As the marshals delve deeper into the case, both their own and the hospital's true motives are revealed. Teddy while searching for Solando is actually trying to find Andrew Laeddis, a patient of the
2012 question: Analyse how symbols are used to present an idea or ideas in a film
Shutter Island by legendary American director Martin Scorsese is an elaborate labyrinth of a film. It's ever changing plot line and deeply emotional scenes make it compulsory viewing for any avid film goer. Scorsese has constructed this intricately woven film by using various film techniques the most significant of which is symbols. In the film symbols are used to present many different ideas to the audience. Scorsese who is a modern film icon constantly uses symbolism throughout his films to convey subtle ideas to the audience without them knowing. Three different motifs or symbols are used in the film to achieve this result. Water is firstly used to present the idea reality or truth; while fire is used to represent the idea of Teddy's' fantasy. ward "C" is used the film is used to represent the idea of Teddy's mental instability to the audience. These symbols are used throughout the film but primarily in three, firstly water in the opening scene. Fire is used in the scene where Teddy supposedly finds Solando and Ward C in the scene where Teddy is exploring the anoles to find Laeddis' cell. These symbols in combination create a very profound cinematic involvement for the audience and makes Shutter Island, a modern classic.
The story begins on a steamboat heading towards the ominously secluded Ashecliffe mental hospital off the Boston, Massachusetts shore in 1954. On the boat the protagonist, a US Marshall Teddy Daniels and his new partner Chuck. The hospital is not just an asylum however, it is actually a prison for the criminally insane and Teddy and Chuck have been assigned to find a dangerous patient, Rachel Solando who has escaped from the prison. As the marshals delve deeper into the case, both their own and the hospital's true motives are revealed. Teddy while searching for Solando is actually trying to find Andrew Laeddis, a patient of the