The Talented Mr Ripley Analysis
Active film viewers are exposed to a whole new world of motion picture as they apply their knowledge of the art of film to every movie they watch. One way of discovering the intricacy in film is to determine the literary point of view. To analyze the point of view in a piece of literature or film is to determine the vantage point from which the audience witnesses the story. Determining this is extremely useful because it answers many questions about why characters act a certain way. For example, in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), the point of view is omniscient, similar to many films. An omniscient point of view is where the audience can see the actions of all characters independent of the others; they are made aware of the thoughts and emotions
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Ripley, the third person limited point of view offers the idea that Ripley’s ultimate goal is to achieve a wealthy lifestyle. To begin, author Highsmith reveals much about Ripley’s life prior to his voyage to Italy. Ripley would steal his neighbor’s checks and attempt to alter his bank messenger’s identification card in order to get away with cashing the checks for himself (16). This gives an early indication that Ripley has an obsession with money. The limited point of view hones in on Ripley’s mannerisms, where as an omniscient point of view can be distracting as it explains everyone’s actions and thoughts. Ripley’s fascination with wealth is further exemplified when the narrator states that, while purchasing new drapes for a face value of two thousand dollars, “Tom forced her [the seamstress] to take five thousand (129)” Furthermore, Ripley craves to impress his guests at his newly refurbished apartments, serving his guests with the best brandy and “strolling about his apartment discoursing on the pleasure of life in Rome (129).” In the case of the novel, the limited aspect affects the theme because it creates an emphasis for Ripley’s overall goal. Ripley hopes to achieve what has been otherwise unattainable in his past life and Highsmith makes it clear that his goal is to obtain a wealthy
Ripley, the third person limited point of view offers the idea that Ripley’s ultimate goal is to achieve a wealthy lifestyle. To begin, author Highsmith reveals much about Ripley’s life prior to his voyage to Italy. Ripley would steal his neighbor’s checks and attempt to alter his bank messenger’s identification card in order to get away with cashing the checks for himself (16). This gives an early indication that Ripley has an obsession with money. The limited point of view hones in on Ripley’s mannerisms, where as an omniscient point of view can be distracting as it explains everyone’s actions and thoughts. Ripley’s fascination with wealth is further exemplified when the narrator states that, while purchasing new drapes for a face value of two thousand dollars, “Tom forced her [the seamstress] to take five thousand (129)” Furthermore, Ripley craves to impress his guests at his newly refurbished apartments, serving his guests with the best brandy and “strolling about his apartment discoursing on the pleasure of life in Rome (129).” In the case of the novel, the limited aspect affects the theme because it creates an emphasis for Ripley’s overall goal. Ripley hopes to achieve what has been otherwise unattainable in his past life and Highsmith makes it clear that his goal is to obtain a wealthy