In our most recent Media lesson, we watched the opening scene, prom scene and the ending of the 1976 film ‘Carrie’; based on the Stephen King novel. Carrie is a 1976 American supernatural horror directed by Brian De Palma. The film and the novel tell the story of a socially outcast teenage girl, Carrie White, who discovers she possesses latent psionic power which seems to flare up when she becomes angry or otherwise distressed. Carrie's powers become apparent after her humiliation by her peers, teachers, and abusive mother, eventually resulting in tragedy.
There are many religious and sexual connotations present in the film. For example, during the opening scene, we're placed in a high school locker room. where the audience act as voyeurs, watching the girls change after P.E. We are instantly put into the male gaze as the majority of the girls are nude. The close up of Carrie's face and body could represent intimacy and pleasure as we're invading her personal space - as are we to the other girls in the locker room. A sense of purity and innocence occurs during the opening scene as well - as Carrie gets her period for the first time. Although this could represent Carrie's transition into adulthood, the theme of death is also present as Carrie's transfixed with the idea that she's dying.
During the prom scene, there are also many religious connotations. Carrie is seen wearing a white dress to prom so this could symbolise purity and innocence. However, this changes when Chris drops the bucket of pigs blood on her. This relates to the opening scene when Carrie gets her period. When Carrie's telekinesis takes over, flames engulf the school gym. The flames could be symbolic of hell and demonic possession within the movie - Carrie reflects 'the devil'.
Religious connotations are also evident in the final scene between Carrie and her mother. As soon as she steps inside her house (which also reflects purity), church organs begin playing. This instrument also calms the recent situation down and connotes a peaceful atmosphere. The use of candles in this scene also represent religion as they represent purification. In a way, I believe the candles represent hell. As well as this, the melting wax could possibly represent the recent events - the flesh of the students that died in the gym. When Carrie kills her mother, she somewhat 'crucifies' her before her house comes crashing down - sending her to hell. This religious connotation could represent her mother's personality as she was a religious women as well as representing Jesus on the cross.
'The Monstrous Feminine'.
'In Carrie, the film's most monstrous act occurs when the couple are drenched in pig's blood, which symbolises the menstrual blood in the terms set up by the film. Women are referred to as 'pigs', women 'bleed like pigs', and the pig's blood runs down Carrie's body at a moment of intense pleasure, just as her own menstrual blood ran down her legs during a similar pleasurable moment in the shower. Here, women's blood and pig's blood flow together signifying horror, shame and humiliation.' The Horror Reader, Chapter: Kristeva, Femininity, Abjection, Barbara Creed. Routledge, London & New York, 2000. (page 67)
Plot summary:
http://en.wikipedia.org
There are many religious and sexual connotations present in the film. For example, during the opening scene, we're placed in a high school locker room. where the audience act as voyeurs, watching the girls change after P.E. We are instantly put into the male gaze as the majority of the girls are nude. The close up of Carrie's face and body could represent intimacy and pleasure as we're invading her personal space - as are we to the other girls in the locker room. A sense of purity and innocence occurs during the opening scene as well - as Carrie gets her period for the first time. Although this could represent Carrie's transition into adulthood, the theme of death is also present as Carrie's transfixed with the idea that she's dying.
During the prom scene, there are also many religious connotations. Carrie is seen wearing a white dress to prom so this could symbolise purity and innocence. However, this changes when Chris drops the bucket of pigs blood on her. This relates to the opening scene when Carrie gets her period. When Carrie's telekinesis takes over, flames engulf the school gym. The flames could be symbolic of hell and demonic possession within the movie - Carrie reflects 'the devil'.
Religious connotations are also evident in the final scene between Carrie and her mother. As soon as she steps inside her house (which also reflects purity), church organs begin playing. This instrument also calms the recent situation down and connotes a peaceful atmosphere. The use of candles in this scene also represent religion as they represent purification. In a way, I believe the candles represent hell. As well as this, the melting wax could possibly represent the recent events - the flesh of the students that died in the gym. When Carrie kills her mother, she somewhat 'crucifies' her before her house comes crashing down - sending her to hell. This religious connotation could represent her mother's personality as she was a religious women as well as representing Jesus on the cross.
'The Monstrous Feminine'.
'In Carrie, the film's most monstrous act occurs when the couple are drenched in pig's blood, which symbolises the menstrual blood in the terms set up by the film. Women are referred to as 'pigs', women 'bleed like pigs', and the pig's blood runs down Carrie's body at a moment of intense pleasure, just as her own menstrual blood ran down her legs during a similar pleasurable moment in the shower. Here, women's blood and pig's blood flow together signifying horror, shame and humiliation.' The Horror Reader, Chapter: Kristeva, Femininity, Abjection, Barbara Creed. Routledge, London & New York, 2000. (page 67)
Plot summary:
http://en.wikipedia.org
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