Friday, January 30, 2015
Squirrels, Chainsaws, and Devastation
At one point in The Winter's Bone right after Ree gets beat up, there is a black and white scene of squirrels in trees and the non-digetic sound of chainsaws grinding down those trees. When watching this for the first time, I found it pointless and out of place. However, I still had an unsettled feeling about whatever the director's idea for the scene was. After a second viewing, I made a connection with this scene to another shocking moment in the film. Every piece of that scene is symbolic in one way or another. Trees, which are squirrels' home, were being destroyed as the chainsaw brought them down. In another scene later in the film, Ree has to hold onto her father's hands while a chainsaw cuts them off. I connected the two scenes on the level of destruction. In both scenes, a chainsaw is what destroys something extremely important. The chainsaw resembles the collapse of someone's life, whether it be the squirrels or Ree. The black and white color scheme is indicative of sorrow and blankness. In the scene with Ree, the movie has a cool color scheme that fits well with the sad, devastating event that is happening. After close reading an unfamiliar scene, I was able to reveal a hidden meaning behind it that contributed to the meaning of the story.
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I just had to Google "chainsaws and squirrels" and that picture came up, in case any of you were wondering.
ReplyDeleteMark, I believe the picture you chose has a story of it's own. When watching the film, I could never put the pieces together when the clip of the trees were being cut down. As you have analyzed the scene, I now can picture the dark and blank silhouette of the film. I believe it took so much courage and strength for Ree to hold onto her father's arms as they were being sawed off. I know if I was her, I couldn't do that, I would undoubtedly cry. Your analogy between the chainsaw and the collapse of somebody's life is spectacular. The picture you chose to go with your prompt follows the title extremely well. You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your interpretation of this scene. Though your photo is comical, I see the relevance! Chainsaws often aren't looked at as a collapse of someone's life, but I think you are very accurate with this connection. I did not immediately pick up on this comparison, however after looking at it a little closer, I agree. How fitting? Chainsaws are in charge of the collapse of forestation, and in this particular case, the chainsaw collapsed Ree's world. I feel that you did a great job in making this comparison!
ReplyDeleteI was happy to read your interpretation on this scene from the movie. I was a little confused by it when I first saw it. As I watched it again, it became more clear to me Ree was afraid of losing their home. I had not made the connection of the chainsaw in both scenes until I read your entry. It was almost like Ree at that point was in a panic state such as what happened to the squirrels in the scene. Up until that point, Ree seemed to be able to handle whatever was thrown at her somehow. She seemed to think somehow everything would be ok if she could save their home and not have to be separated symbolizing the importance family unity.
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