Tuesday 25 September 2012

Discuss the ways in which Cameron has used Binary Opposites to create meaning in Titanic.


In this extract from Titanic, Cameron uses binary opposition to immediately establish the iconic structure and size of the Titanic itself, standing alone on the dockside at Southampton with the masses waiting to either board or wave off loved ones or those who have come along to witness this ‘unsinkable ship.’ It is instantly obvious of the different classes of people which can be seen throughout the crowded area. People less fortunate than others were push aside by gold plated cars and the ships staff carrying the luggage of the wealthy on board the ship everything was being done for them making it a pleasant start to their journey. The less well-off were treated like cattle, having their mouths and hair inspected thoroughly; they were expected to carry their own personal belongings themselves. The upper class board the top half of the boat which is seen to be white, this connotes purity and cleanliness. The enter by having to walk across a bridge with their maids and luggage closely followed behind them; they are then escorted to their living quarters. In complete contrast the poor crossed the bridge to the black section of the boat which signifies as being less cleanly.
When we first encounter Rose she arrives at the port in a chauffeur driven car. We see a white gloved hand, immediately this shows us that her family are wealthy. She pauses and waits for her fiancé to assist her out of the vehicle. As she exits out of the car, Cameron has chosen to use very bright lighting this could be used to show her importance in the story line. Rose was wearing a white and purple outfit, the white could signify purity and the purple wealth, which is also very vibrant and may show signs of her wanting to be more adventurous. She is being escorted on to the ship by her fiancé and mother, her fiancée was wearing an impeccably dressed tailored suit and bowler hat, who instantaneously took control of the travel arrangements it seems already that he is working in opposition to Rose and that they don’t really share a connection. He was followed by Rose’s mother she was wearing a green outfit; this may connote jealousy of her daughters adventurous side and the reasons for her travelling to America. Her mother and Rose’s colour contrast could show the opposition that they don’t necessarily see eye to eye and are completely different.  When boarding the Titanic Cameron has used light to show and brighten Rose, her mother and fiancée while leaving everyone else in subdued tones. Rose refers to boarding the ship as a ‘slave ship’ and then goes on to say “on the outside I am a well behaved girl, but on the inside I’m screaming” The impression from this quote reinforces the idea that she wants to be more adventurous and maybe have more choices of her own. The music she enters too is very elegant and demure supporting her wealthy ways.
 Jack by contrast is first seen in a saloon bar after Cameron pans away from the Titanic maybe to give the impression that his way of living isn’t right for such an extravagant, life changing trip. The window of the saloon with the Titanic waiting on the dockside in the background could present a symbolic barrier between the male and female protagonist and the way the live. When entering the saloon the lighting gets darker and is quite gloomy from cigarette smoke, this suggests that Jack and his Italian friend Fabrizio are among the poorer clientele. All the characters in the bar were wearing grey ill-fitting and untailored clothes with grey flat caps unlike the elegant gowns and suits the upper class wore.  They are playing poker for the opportunity to win two third class tickets for the Titanic. Whilst playing there is a ticking sound from a pocket watch laying on the table amongst other unworthy possessions. This could suggest time is running out and is emphasising their anticipation to board the ship. Jack is heard saying “when you’ve got nothing, you’ve nothing to lose” this shows that they are willing to give up everything they own even though they don’t own any worthy belongings. When Jack finds out he has a full house over Sven’s two pairs they are overcome with joy.  Over hearing this joyous celebration the man behind the bar points to the grandfather clock that they only have 5 minutes until the ship leaves on its maiden voyage for America. Knowing this they grab the winnings and tickets and it was all put in their only cloth bag and run out the door. Cameron chooses Irish folk music which shows chaos and reinforces their eagerness to board the ship and also shows that Jack and Fabrizio are from a different class and are boarding Titanic via steerage. Irish music is normally associated with drinking and we first meet Jack in a bar this could be seen as iconic. When entering they were both questioned whether or not they had been medically inspected and intentionally Jack lied and said “Yes, but it doesn’t matter anyway because we are both Americans” because of the little time they had left. Doubtfully the guard let them on. In contrast to Rose’s arrival Jack’s was very much more hectic but he was boarding with much more enthusiasm and very much looking forward to arriving in America. 

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