Shutter Island Essay.

at Ashecliffe and reveals that those beyond cure are transported to the lighthouse for lobotomies. As Teddy prepares himself for departure, George alleges that everyone on the island, including Teddy's new associate, is partaking in a deceptive game created specifically for him.

The climax occurs when Teddy visits the lighthouse and forcibly enters it. Upon reaching the top of the lighthouse, he encounters Dr Cawley who awaits him. Dr Cawley proceeds to disclose that "Daniels" is actually Andrew Laeddis, a false identity created by Laeddis himself after he tragically killed his wife subsequent to her drowning their three children. As explained by Dr Cawley, the recent events that unfolded were carefully orchestrated to dismantle Laeddis' delusion of being Daniels. The intention was to expose his underlying insanity by allowing him to act out the role of Daniels, an anagram of his true name. The falling action occurs after this revelation.

Within the confines of the hospital, Laeddis has a discussion with Dr. Sheehan, addressing him as "Chuck" and conveying their urgency to exit the island. This behavior is perceived by Dr. Cawley as a setback, leading him to believe that he has exploited all likely remedies. Eventually, Laeddis is escorted away. As he prepares to leave with the medical professionals, Laeddis poses a thought-provoking question to Dr. Sheehan: whether it's more terrible to exist as a beast or perish as an honorable man? The film's dark and brooding atmosphere greatly contributes to its overall impact since it shapes our understanding of the movie in its intended light. A mystery/horror film teeming with numerous flowers and vibrant colors would not yield the same level

of intensity.

No, the gothic genre is fully integrated into the plot, displaying its true impact. There are numerous gothic settings throughout the story, including the island itself, hospital building, mansion, death camps, ward C, woods, cemetery, cave, the lighthouse, fog, extreme weather, darkness, and the lake. However, I will focus on the three main settings in my opinion. The first one I will discuss is the death camps, as they embody a significant amount of darkness just in their name alone.

In the movie, Teddy's dreams allow us to experience the death camp, instantly confronting us with mortality and decomposition. The blend of dark hues and greys amplifies the unsettling ambience and discloses hidden secrets. This aspect is vital to the film because it provides an alternative viewpoint for the genre, bypassing standard concealed pathways. Furthermore, it elicits profound feelings within us since we are all cognizant of the disconcerting reality linked with death camps.

In every gothic tale, there is usually some extreme weather. However, I liked how they portrayed it in this film, by presenting a mysterious storm and the darkness that it brings, creating a very eerie feeling. During the storm, Teddy and Aule seek shelter in a cemetery, adding to the gothic elements of the story. This establishes the dark tone of the narrative right from the beginning.

The last gothic location to be examined is the Lighthouse, a site widely acknowledged as one of the most meaningful and influential settings in the movie. In my perspective, this Lighthouse epitomizes the archetypal gothic ambiance; it exudes an enigma that is both captivating and horrifying due to

its suspense-laden background. Furthermore, themes concerning death and decline are deeply intertwined with every element of the Lighthouse since it has silently witnessed numerous fatalities and lobotomies over time, generating an unmistakable air of gloom from within.

Located in a chilling setting nestled amidst water and sharp stones, The Lighthouse radiates an air of unease. Its external and internal shades of dark grey and black heighten this disturbing atmosphere. However, by the end of the film, it's unveiled that the Lighthouse is home to all concealed truths and secrets. It also serves as a storehouse for powerful emotions, solidifying its role as the most essential gothic backdrop in the film. Every character is representative of different kinds of gothic archetypes - ranging from heroes to villains to an agitated Byronic lead.

The movie showcases three protagonists, each of them playing varying roles in the storyline. Every character is assigned a unique role that evokes diverse feelings and instills an intense sense of terror that reverberates from our spine's base to its top and back again. However, one character especially stirs up strong sentiments of empathy. This character is Dr. John Cawley, as per my judgment. Even when everyone turns their backs on Teddy, Dr.Cawley remains unwavering in his support for him. He stands alongside Teddy, offering assistance and presenting him with a chance to alter his future positively.

Regardless of the severe actions and mind games Dr. Cawley played on Teddy, such as reinforcing his second persona and echoing words he once said to his wife when he murdered her in vengeance for their three children, one could argue that everything was

done with Teddy's wellbeing in mind. This very concept is what adds depth to Dr. Cawley's character – at first coming across as a shrouded villain throughout the movie, until finally, we comprehend his genuine intentions towards Teddy.

This movie's importance is highlighted by its capacity to instill guilt in the main character while offering a different viewpoint. Dolores Chanal, a central figure in the narrative, is depicted as a killer, wife, and mother. At first glance, she appears to be a caring housewife with a loving husband which makes her violent downfall evoke empathy. But as the plot progresses, it becomes clear that her life was far from this perceived ideal; she was grappling with mental health issues and was in desperate need of real help.

Despite harbouring strong animosity for her due to the havoc she wreaked, resulting in the collapse of her family, demise of her three little children, and devastation of her spouse's existence, we also feel a profound sympathy towards her. It is clear that she has lost all self-control and should not be held responsible for what occurred. If she hadn't been depicted as the antagonist in this film, it would lack depth and its narrative would disintegrate. The last character being scrutinised is Edward "Teddy" Daniels or Andrew Laeddis who embodies the unstable Byronic hero.

The intricacy of this individual is profound, and it's mystifying as to why he didn't succumb to madness prior to killing his wife. This man was a seasoned World War II veteran who took part in the Dachau liberation reprisals, witnessing horrifying and bleak occurrences. Upon returning home, he discovered

his wife gravely ill but this wasn't a surprise for him. Dolores exposed her suicidal inclinations following her initial suicide attempt by expressing that she felt like an insect was residing in her brain. She likened the feeling to it moving around in her skull, whimsically tampering with neural pathways. Despite her admittance, I overlooked it.

The narrator's deep affection for a particular individual is underscored by the assertion "I loved her so much". The magnitude of this sentiment makes it challenging for them to detach themselves from her. They decide to relocate to an idyllic lakeside residence in rural surroundings in a bid to provide some aid, but their attempts prove futile as no positive changes ensue. In a heartbreaking turn of events, they return home after an exhausting day at work only to find their children lifelessly floating on the lake’s surface. This distressing scene impels them into ending their partner's life out of desolation. While superficially it might appear as retaliation for their children’s demise, the narrator interprets it as an act motivated by compassion and mercy aimed at easing their partner's anguish and grief. The intricacy of these circumstances prevents them from expressing any fury towards whoever is responsible; instead, they are overwhelmed with sympathy and sorrow over such a monumental tragedy.

The overwhelming shock led him to establish a secondary identity, where he started loathing his genuine self, named Andrew Laeddis. Even though he was aware of being the murderer, he got so engulfed in his inner turmoil that he constructed an alternate personality. This part of the narrative is critical as it depicts him as both a

lunatic and a Byronic hero who has a troubled history and strives for improvement. I was particularly taken aback by the filmmakers' ability to construct the film's concluding statement with depth and darkness: "Which would be worse? To live as a monster, or die as a good man?" It implies that even after achieving full recovery, he prefers to opt for lobotomy forgetting his deeds rather than confronting them and carrying their guilt. This concept struck me as profoundly gothic and eerie. The filmmakers showed extraordinary prowess in making this movie; all employed techniques - from captivating settings to awe-inspiring characters stirred diverse thoughts and feelings. They integrated several gothic components into their distinct style resulting in an excellently crafted film. In conclusion, I have articulated why I am convinced about their deserving nature towards the accolade they received for this exemplary creation.