Explicit Meaning

DEFINITION: A concrete, specific meaning that deals with the characters' change during the film. Change here means their understanding of their dilemma, what they learn about their problem and themselves.

 

Example from the Book: Wizard of Oz

A girl dreams of leaving home to escpae her troubles. Only after she leaves does she realize how much she loves her family and friends.

 

Break down this statement.

What does sentence one express about the film? What does sentence two describe?

 

What would be a comparable statement for Rear Window?

Is it the love affair or Jeff and Lisa's realizations about the neighbor's murder that we should use in our statement of explicit meaning? Or should we concentrate on the relationship between both those subplots?

 

*Remember: don't confuse meaning with themes. Themes are much broader categories of ideas.