Pan's Labyrinth = Representations Flashcards
1
Q
Age =
A
- An innocent girl who loves fantasies and we are encouraged to sympathise with her
2
Q
Politics/Religion =
A
- Del Toro’s negative views of fascism and Catholicism is evident through the different elements of the film as they are seen as uncaring authoritarians
- It represents the ruling elite and these groups that oppose free thought
- The rebels are represented positively and shown to be loving and empathic. Also humanised and attempting to gain freedom from the evil people
3
Q
Men =
A
- Binary opposites of gender, male characters are representative of a patriarchal society where men hold power
- Vidal is seen as obsessive with military exploits and refuses to believe the child will not be a boy who is more important than his sick wife which shows his ideologies of men being the superior race
- He is dismissive of women (Mercedes and Ofelia) which is examples of misogynistic attitudes in a patriarchal society
- His excessive actions to his appearance such as grooming, shaving, watch, spotlessness shows his excessive display of masculinity and desire for control
- This links masculinity and patriarchy to fascism
- ## Del Toro links fascism and patriarchy as oppressors of women which is shown through Vidal’s behaviour
4
Q
Women =
A
- Women are seen to be more positive and suffer at the hands of patriarchy
- Ofelia represents women as strong willed, brave and independent, she also rejects patriarchal values and conformity which is seen in her disobedience
- Carmen is a passive character subject to her husband control and confined to a wheelchair at his request which shows her lack of freedom and silenced at the banquet
- Her death was unmourned to show how women are oppressed in a patriarchal society
- However, Mercedes is a more positive representation as she is caring and nurturing towards Ofelia.
- She actively resists Vidal’s oppression and is able to prove her strength.
- Vidal underestimates the power of women in a patriarchal society saying ‘she is just a woman’ which eventually led to his downfall
