Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut, one of the most eagerly anticipated movies of the 1990s, turned out to be the most controversial cinematic work of this decade. Critics are divided between scathing criticism and commendatory enthusiasm; reviews range from calling Kubrick’s movie intellectually over-hyped, a disaster, or a boring experience to praising it as a triumphant victory and a masterpiece.
For one thing, Eyes Wide Shut generates controversy on first viewing. It does not present easy answers or reassuring certainties, but leaves the viewer baffled as to its meaning. It is the movie’s complexity and large symbolic dimension that makes one realize that a single screening may not reveal all the meanings necessary for an interpretation.
One of the movie’s outstanding features is its extensive use of recurring motifs, symbols, allusions, and paradox – one of the reasons why the film is difficult to understand. Thus, to come to a fuller understanding of one of the film’s possible messages, it is not only useful, but also necessary to take a closer look at its symbolic structure. This paper attempts to discuss the symbols employed in the movie as it is of benefit to the film’s analysis.
Eyes Wide Shut presents two different planes of discourse: there is an outer reality, the social dimension, and there is the inner world of the characters, the psychodynamic dimension. To allow for the viewer to penetrate beyond the surface of outward appearances and human superficiality into the hidden worlds of dreams and fantasies, the use of symbols is an ideal instrument. Symbols appeal to the imagination and they address and evoke our emotions. They reflect on the interface between fiction and reality and thus help to reveal the truths of the subconscious mind. This helps to foster audience participation and emotional involvement in the story, which is of importance for Eyes Wide Shut to develop its full effect. However, even though Kubrick’s movie is full of symbols and hidden meanings, it is difficult to put them together for an analysis. There is not one interpretation that fits perfectly and renders a symbolic coherence. Thus, Eyes Wide Shut is open to several interpretations, none of which fits perfectly to all parts and aspects of the film. And this is exactly what makes the movie so intriguing: its ambiguity and loose ends, which leave interpretation to the viewer.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The first scene
- 3. "No dream is ever just a dream" – fantasy or true story?
- 4. Discussion of the major symbols in Eyes wide shut
- 4.1 Eyes
- 4.2 Mask
- 4.3 Mirror
- 4.4 Victor Ziegler
- 4.5 Orgy
- 5. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this paper is to analyze the symbolic structure of Stanley Kubrick's film, Eyes Wide Shut, to gain a deeper understanding of its complex and multifaceted meaning. The film's ambiguous nature and the extensive use of recurring motifs and symbols contribute to its challenging interpretation. This analysis focuses on unraveling these symbols and their contribution to the film's overall message.
- The interplay between fantasy and reality
- The exploration of appearance versus reality and the problem of knowledge
- The use of symbols as instruments to reveal subconscious truths
- The exploration of the human psyche and motivations
- The ambiguity and multiple interpretations possible within the film
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the controversial nature of Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut, highlighting the critical divide and the film's resistance to easy interpretation. It emphasizes the film's extensive use of recurring motifs, symbols, and paradoxes, making a detailed symbolic analysis necessary for a comprehensive understanding. The chapter introduces the two planes of discourse present in the film: the outer social reality and the inner psychodynamic dimension of the characters. The use of symbols is presented as a crucial tool for bridging these two planes, appealing to both the imagination and emotions of the viewer to foster participation and emotional involvement. The inherent ambiguity and multiple interpretations possible within the film are highlighted as a key aspect of its intrigue.
2. The first scene: This chapter analyzes the opening scene of Eyes Wide Shut, a brief, wordless sequence of a woman undressing in front of a mirror. The stark visual nature of the scene is discussed, emphasizing the viewer's role as a voyeur and the film's initial attempt to exploit voyeuristic expectations. The chapter then contrasts this with the film's subsequent shift in focus from the visual to the mental, describing how the film ultimately becomes a "hypnotizing eye-opener" rather than a mere "eye-catcher". The introduction of several recurring symbols—nudity, colors (black and red), and the mirror—is examined, along with the subtle introduction of the "eye-motif" and the ambiguity surrounding who is watching whom and for what purpose. The scene's condensed nature and its role as a springboard for the unraveling of the film's themes are emphasized.
3. "No dream is ever just a dream" – fantasy or true story?: This chapter delves into the ambiguity of whether the events in Eyes Wide Shut are real or dreamlike, highlighting the continual shifting between fantasy and reality. The impact of these events on Bill's life and perception of the world is explored, emphasizing the transformation he undergoes and the challenge to his self-understanding. The chapter points out that the ambiguity reinforces the film's core theme: the exploration of appearance and reality and the associated problem of knowledge. The dream-motif's close relationship to the film's symbolism is discussed, emphasizing their role in exploring the psychological dimensions of human behavior which can't be easily defined. The chapter ultimately suggests that the film employs unreality, through the dream-motif and symbols, not for definitive answers, but to evoke imprecise ideas and insights that allow for an affective understanding rather than purely cognitive knowledge.
Keywords
Eyes Wide Shut, Stanley Kubrick, symbolism, dream, reality, fantasy, appearance versus reality, subconscious, human psyche, ambiguity, multiple interpretations, voyeurism, visual imagery, psychological exploration.
Eyes Wide Shut: A Symbolic Analysis - FAQ
What is the main objective of this paper?
The paper analyzes the symbolic structure of Stanley Kubrick's film, Eyes Wide Shut, to understand its complex meaning. It focuses on unraveling the symbols and their contribution to the film's overall message, given its ambiguous nature and extensive use of recurring motifs.
What are the key themes explored in the film and this analysis?
The analysis explores the interplay between fantasy and reality, the exploration of appearance versus reality and the problem of knowledge, the use of symbols to reveal subconscious truths, the exploration of the human psyche and motivations, and the film's inherent ambiguity and multiple interpretations.
What is covered in the Introduction chapter?
The introduction establishes the controversial nature of Eyes Wide Shut and its resistance to easy interpretation. It highlights the film's use of recurring motifs, symbols, and paradoxes, emphasizing the need for symbolic analysis. It introduces the film's two planes of discourse (social reality and inner psychodynamic dimension) and the use of symbols to bridge them, fostering viewer participation and emotional involvement. The inherent ambiguity and multiple interpretations are also highlighted.
What is discussed in the chapter analyzing the first scene?
This chapter analyzes the opening scene—a woman undressing in front of a mirror—discussing its visual nature and the viewer's role as a voyeur. It contrasts this with the film's shift from visual to mental focus, describing it as a "hypnotizing eye-opener." Recurring symbols (nudity, colors, mirror, eye-motif) are examined, along with the ambiguity of who is watching whom. The scene's role as a springboard for the film's themes is emphasized.
How does the analysis address the "dream versus reality" aspect of the film?
The chapter on "fantasy or true story?" delves into the ambiguity of whether events are real or dreamlike, exploring the shifting between fantasy and reality and its impact on Bill's life and perception. It emphasizes the film's exploration of appearance and reality and the problem of knowledge. The dream-motif's relationship to symbolism and its role in exploring psychological dimensions is discussed. The ambiguity is presented not for definitive answers but to evoke imprecise ideas and insights for an affective understanding.
What are the major symbols analyzed in the film?
The analysis focuses on several key symbols: eyes, masks, mirrors, Victor Ziegler, and the orgy. Each symbol is explored in detail to understand its contribution to the film's overall meaning and thematic exploration.
What are the chapter summaries provided?
The document provides summaries for the introduction, the analysis of the opening scene, and the chapter exploring the ambiguity between dream and reality. Each summary briefly outlines the key arguments and discussions presented within the respective chapter.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis of Eyes Wide Shut?
Keywords include Eyes Wide Shut, Stanley Kubrick, symbolism, dream, reality, fantasy, appearance versus reality, subconscious, human psyche, ambiguity, multiple interpretations, voyeurism, visual imagery, and psychological exploration.
What is the overall tone and approach of the analysis?
The analysis adopts a structured and professional approach, aiming for a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of Eyes Wide Shut's symbolic language. It acknowledges the film's complexities and avoids simplistic interpretations, emphasizing the importance of multiple perspectives and the film's inherent ambiguity.
For whom is this analysis intended?
This analysis is intended for academic use, providing a structured framework for analyzing themes in Eyes Wide Shut.
- Quote paper
- Carolin Ruwe (Author), 2002, Symbols in Stanley Kubrick's movie 'Eyes Wide Shut', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/4804
