Scene Analysis

Joey Mann
Mrs. Wecker
IB Junior English
June 17, 2009
A Society in Motion
The 1960s was a decade of immense social unrest and challenges to tradition. Perhaps no film of the era better captured those same ideals than Peter Fonda’s epic 1969 road film, Easy Rider. Easy Rider in its entirety follows two bikers on a spiritual journey through the American southwest, and the scene which immediately follows the selling of the cocaine to a dealer in Rolls-Royce is particularly important. In this, Fonda demonstrates the rebellious nature present within all people, through representation of the American counterculture of the 1960s, and show of progression of this same counterculture. The representation of the American counterculture is achieved via the use of music, close-ups, and symbols. The progression of the counterculture is illuminated by the use of dolly-shots, panning, and
The counterculture plays a pivotal role in the film Easy Rider, and is represented in many. Perhaps most noticeably through the use of music, the counterculture is shown. The theme playing is titled The Weight, by Smith, and is a noted song of the era, and its lyrics allude to change, and a society in motion. Next, close-up shots are used to a very important effect, as there are numerous close-ups throughout the scene. The close-up of Wyatt’s motorcycle boot highlights the very determined nature of the counterculture during this era. Lastly, symbols are present in this scene which adds to the effect. Chief amongst these symbols are the motorcycles ridden by Billy and Wyatt. These two are very heavily customized, and highlight the counterculture emphasis on individuality.
The progression of the counterculture plays a significant role throughout the film, and particularly in this scene. The use of dolly shots is pivotal in this development. Dolly shots allow the camera to capture the perpetual motion in which the counterculture symbols are engaged. Panning is also important in this scene, creating a stark contrast between the riders and their background. Lastly, symbols also serve an important role in this scene. Particularly noticeable is the symbol of highways, which symbolic of the means by which the counterculture is able to move forward.
Thus by portraying the counterculture and their development, Peter Fonda is able to Highlight the rebellious nature present in all people.

Scene video

Th URL for the video for my individual scene analysis is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLkmbLoaORU&feature=related

Scene proposal

Movie- Easy Rider
Scene- Towards the begining
Time- 2 minutes and 25 seconds
Described- The scene follows two counter-culture bikers, Billy (played by Dennis Hopper) and Wyatt (played by Peter Fonda), as they smuggle drugs from Mexico to Los Angeles. The background is, as one would expect, very deserted, creating a serene feel. The scene is primarily filled with Dolly shots, because the two motorists are in constant motion, for the entire seen. There is, it should be noted, alot of close-ups on both the bikes, and the faces of both characters. Also the scene uses a pan to further invoke the serene, lonely nature of a highway in the American southwest. There is dramatic use of long shot, as well as angled shots, throughout the entirety of the scene.

Antigone journal- words/ideas

• Anouilh uses the word Holocaust to describe the battlefield on which Polynices and Eteocles are found dead. This strikes me as interesting because of the obvious associations of the word Holocaust, as well as its very morbid nature. I also think it is a somewhat unusual word to use in describing a battlefield where to noble young princes have died- the word is quite morbid and devoid of any connotation with nobility, honor, or bravery. I also cannot help but wonder, that owing to the era in which it was written, if it is a reference to the actual genocide of the same name.
• Happiness is a very ambiguous term used quite frequently by Anouilh. It is uses especially often in the dialougue between Creon and Antigone. It is important because the desire to find happiness is universal, and the unspecified meaning of the word happiness reaches out to all people.

Journal 2: Medea

The chorus in Medea differs significantly from that in Oedipus the King, in that it is alot more sympathetic to Medea's situation, feeling her pain and anguish at the injustice Jason comitted. The chorus often addresses Medea by name and in a sympathetic manner, such as the line; "The lover you lost, O heartbroken lady!" This empathy expressed by the chorus is very different from the righteous, just attitude taken by the chorus in Oedipus, and helps to shine a much more positive light on Medea, as well as help in evoking pity and fear, as the sympathetic nature of the chorus helps the reader to connect with Medea's character- thus sharing in her heart-bending anguish.

Journal 1: Medea

Sophocles evokes pity by placing the main character, Medea, in a very unhappy situation. Medea, whose husband Jason left her for another woman, is grieving uncontrollably, and has obviously had her heart crushed. This is a situation which alot of people might have experienced, and can understand the pain of, so thus they can pity Medea. Medea's hatred towards her own children also evoke pity from the reader, as the children didn't do anything wrong and are being spurned by their own mother. Sophocles also manages to evoke fear from his audience, as through Medea being forced to leave Corinth. When Creon forces her exile, the audience can't help but experience the fear of losing everything they know and hold dear.

Journal 4: Oedipus

"How terrible- to see the truth when the truth is only pain to him who sees!" Here we have the image of eyes, as shown through this quote by Tiresias. The imagery of eyes is commonly used throughout the play, where in eyes have come to represent being exposed to, and havin to live with the inherent evil and immorality of the world. As Tiresias states, eyes are a device which grants us clarity, and a vision of the world around us. But who wants to see, when there is nothing in the world to see except pain and misery? After Oedipus gouges out his eyes, he says; "What good were eyes to me? Nothing I could ever see would bring me joy." in which the imagery of eyes is used to represent the hopelessness of his existance. Such is the fate of Oedipus to dwell in misery, so he would certainly rather not have to see that misery, through the clarity of vision provided by his eyes.