Parasite — The Power of Symbols

Summary

Michael from 'Lessons from the Screenplay' analyzes how Bong Joon-Ho's film 'Parasite' uses symbols and motifs to explore themes of wealth and poverty. Focusing on the viewing stone and smell, the video examines how these elements represent the Kim family's aspirations and their inability to escape poverty. As these symbols recur, they become motifs that emphasize characters' emotional journeys, ultimately expressing the film’s theme: that poverty often prevents social mobility. Michael also discusses the distinction between motif and theme, showing how 'Parasite' resonates globally as a social satire.

Takeaways

• 🎬 'Parasite' is a South Korean film that became the first non-English language movie to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards in February 2020.
• 🎭 The film centers on a poor family, the Kims, who con their way into working for a wealthy family, the Parks, which sparks a social satire about wealth disparity.
• 🎥 Bong Joon-Ho, the director, uses symbols and motifs to explore the film's theme of wealth versus poverty, which transcends culture and language.
• 🪨 The viewing stone is a key symbol in the movie, representing Ki-Woo’s aspiration to escape poverty and achieve wealth, reflecting his belief that he's destined for success.
• 👃 Smell is another important symbol in the film, representing the poverty that the Kims, particularly Ki-Tek, cannot escape, as it becomes a threat to their con.
• 🔁 Symbols in 'Parasite' are repeated throughout the movie, transforming them into motifs that deepen the characters’ emotional arcs and reinforce the story's themes.
• 💡 A motif is a repeated element that carries symbolic significance, such as the viewing stone and smell, which highlight the characters’ struggles with class divisions.
• 🌪️ The film builds to a climax where these motifs—wealth aspirations symbolized by the stone and the inescapable poverty marked by smell—reach a violent confrontation.
• 📜 Theme is abstract, while motifs are concrete. In 'Parasite,' the motifs of smell and the stone express the theme that poverty can be an unbreakable cycle, despite aspirations for success.
• 🌍 'Parasite' uses its symbols and motifs to create a universal message about the challenges of escaping poverty, resonating with global audiences across cultural boundaries.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the film 'Parasite' as discussed in the video?

The central theme of 'Parasite' is the struggle between wealth and poverty. The film explores how people in poverty, regardless of their dreams and aspirations, often lack the power to join the affluent class.

How does Bong Joon-Ho use symbols and motifs in 'Parasite' to convey its themes?

Bong Joon-Ho uses symbols, such as the viewing stone and smell, to represent key ideas like aspiration and poverty. These symbols are repeated throughout the film, evolving into motifs that reflect the characters' emotional journeys and highlight the divide between wealth and poverty.

What does the viewing stone symbolize in 'Parasite'?

The viewing stone symbolizes Ki-Woo's aspiration for wealth and status. It is introduced when his wealthy friend Min gifts it to him, representing Ki-Woo's belief that he is destined for a better life.

How does the motif of smell function in the film?

Smell represents poverty, especially for Ki-Tek, the father of the Kim family. It is a recurring motif that highlights how the Kims cannot escape their lower-class status, even as they infiltrate the wealthy Park family's home.

Why is the viewing stone described as a motif, and how does it change over the course of the film?

The viewing stone becomes a motif as it repeatedly appears throughout the film, each time symbolizing Ki-Woo's changing relationship with his aspiration for wealth. Initially, it represents hope, but as the story progresses, it also reflects his desperation and eventual downfall.

What is the significance of the recurring motif of smell in 'Parasite'?

The motif of smell serves to remind both the characters and the audience of the Kims' inescapable poverty. It becomes a constant source of tension between the rich and poor characters, especially for Ki-Tek, who becomes increasingly aware of the social divide.

How does the film 'Parasite' use motifs to reinforce its social commentary?

The film uses motifs like the viewing stone and smell to reinforce its commentary on the rigid social class structure. These motifs emphasize the Kims' futile attempts to rise above their poverty and highlight the barriers that prevent them from escaping their lower-class status.

What role does the viewing stone play in the film's climax?

In the film's climax, the viewing stone becomes a symbol of Ki-Woo's destruction. He takes it with the intent to use it as a weapon, but instead, it contributes to his downfall, signifying the collapse of his dreams of wealth.

How does the motif of smell contribute to Ki-Tek's character development?

The motif of smell contributes to Ki-Tek's growing sense of frustration and hopelessness. The repeated reminders of the family's poverty, through the reactions of the Park family to their smell, push him closer to his breaking point, leading to his eventual violent outburst.

How do the symbols and motifs in 'Parasite' reflect the film's broader message about class inequality?

The symbols and motifs in 'Parasite'—particularly the viewing stone and smell—serve as metaphors for the barriers that prevent the lower class from achieving upward mobility. They reflect the film's broader message that class inequality is deeply entrenched and difficult to overcome.