Citizen Kane – Close Study of Film Essay Example

interpret the information they receive. This prompts audience interaction and defies their expectations, ultimately contributing to the film's success.

The film delves into enduring and universal themes, such as love, power, loss, and memory. These themes transcend time, gender, culture, and social status. Additionally, the film incorporates various visual symbols that contribute to its success. For instance, the white snow signifies innocence and Kane's youth. Furthermore, the sled named "Rosebud" symbolizes Kane's lost childhood. The snow-globe represents elements of youthfulness, innocence, the loss of childhood, and Susan. Initially appearing during Kane's death scene and later reappearing when he encounters Susan before her departure. Ultimately, the snow-globe serves as a symbol of something beyond Kane's reach.

Kane's childhood is like a glass sphere that cannot be broken until his death, making it impossible to access. It is the only thing he can never regain and will always be lost. The snow globe symbolizes loss and love, emphasizing his yearning for affection. Psychoanalysts believe that Kane's separation from his mother at an early age hindered his ability to form lasting relationships due to a lack of "transference." By destroying Susan's room, Kane reveals his emotional vulnerability and expresses the pain of losing the one thing he cherishes, using the only means available to him.

The symbol "K" represents his arrogance and desire for control, resulting in his corruption. Additionally, the theme of memory is connected to the stories told by those closest to him and the mystery of "Rosebud." This emphasizes that memory is subjective and fragmented, often unreliable and biased. Furthermore, these universal themes of love, memory, loss, and power allow people from

different social backgrounds to interpret the movie in diverse ways.

Kane's desire for power leads to his self-corruption, which is prominently depicted in the Breakfast Table montage. This sequence is considered one of the most evocative parts of the film, as it showcases innovative cinematography, lighting, dialogue, and staging. Lasting two minutes, the montage illustrates the deterioration of Kane's marriage and demonstrates Welles' creativity and experimentation as a director, as well as the extensive editing involved.