Symbolism can be defined as being the hidden meaning found in the deconstruction of any subject. It’s also that thing that high school teachers make up in their English classes for every book ever read. Do you remember those days?

Sitting in a classroom, reading Lord of the Flies; Piggy has just broken his glasses while losing his balance on a rock.

The teacher says “ This shows the fall of society and the bridges of intelligence falling”.

Really? Maybe his glasses just freaking fell and broke! I’m pretty sure the author would agree with me too.

Films and television shows can be analyzed the same way. However, directors now purposefully force their “subtle” symbolism. Yea, even they’re doing it. I can just imagine their board meetings.

“Hey guys! We need an Oscar this year”.

“We need top notch actors”.

“We need the best writers”.

“We need state of the art visual effects”.

“Fuck that, Let’s just put random objects every few minutes. They will think we’re geniuses!”

An example is the show Breaking Bad. It revolves around an overqualified chemistry teacher. His sudden diagnosis of cancer forces him to enter the drug trade by cooking crystal meth, in order to support his family before his demise. Before I get hunted down or receive a bat to my kneecaps, let me say that; I’m a huge fan of the show, it’s brilliantly written. Now that I have secured my safety, I will continue to say that while the story is amazing, the directors literally stop the flow just to zoom in on items, which can feel forced at times.

After a dramatic scene they leave a little symbol, which is in the main focus for a few seconds. They might as well have a guy standing in the background, holding up a sign saying “Analyze This!!”

A few other things they do are quite hilarious. After multiple viewings I noticed that Walt dresses according to his mood. If he shows anger in that episode, he is often times wearing a deep red shirt. If he is supposed to be looked as empathic, he is wearing blue.

It must be a real tough time choosing clothes from the closet.

“I might scream at someone today, let’s wear my angry shirt!”

It might even become a commitment. If he is having a fantastic day and realizes he is wearing a red, is he obligated to suddenly anger himself?

Beyond these points, are much deeper meanings that are brilliant. This show needs to be watched.

Another example is a very peculiar film, Requim For A Dream. This follows the lives of 4 people who all have life goals, yet are controlled by drug abuse.

The film is not really a unique idea, yet the effects used make it look unique. Most of it is pretty well filmed. But is it really necessary for a fridge to suddenly act possessed for the sake of a woman going on a diet? This reminds me of Zool from Ghostbusters.

Another scene is at the end. 3 of the characters have been mentally destroyed and somehow all simultaneously end up in the fetal position.

They might as well all say, “We are all sad now so we will turn into vulnerable sad babies to show you how deep we are”.

These symbols are very forcefully used, yet bizarrely interesting. What are some of the weird symbols you see in film?

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