Paranormal Activity: Symbolism
Within the many frightening scenes throughout the horror film Paranormal Activity, you will find many examples of symbolism. From beginning movie scenes to the end symbolism is evident.
The easiest symbolism to spot throughout the storyline is found in a wide variety of objects. One of the many examples I thought were important include, the open door to the bedroom, it symbolizes a portal or entrance for evil spirits to enter their bedroom. When you look carefully through all the nights in the film you'll see that the door is always open, and the camera placement gives you a clear view of down the hallway, or as I see it…demon's territory.
That leads me to my next important point, places or areas in the house. An area in the house that you see many times throughout the film is the stairway. It's unique design leads you down two parallel flights of stairs, giving you a full view of the staircase from the ground floor. Yet, at night, an eerie view down the stairway from the bedroom represents a lose-lose situation; leading you down into darkness yet at the same time letting the darkness up to you, leaving you exposed to danger.
Another area found that plays a major role in the movie is the bedroom, the bedroom is the main focus point throughout the movie because the characters are defenseless when asleep; but I see more to the bedroom in its design and placement inside the house. When watching the movie you'll notice that there is only one entrance and exit to the bedroom, the doorway. That fact doesn't have to much significance, but because that one doorway is blocked off by the overpowering evil, it greatly increases the claustrophobic or isolated type of feeling. And it's a proven fact that when isolated, or put in uncomfortable positions, your stress level skyrockets, you slowly begin to lose your sanity, until at one point you're either released, or you go completely insane, a great touch to make this film that much more terrifying.
Once you look beyond all the horrifying scenes and chilling encounters, you begin to see that there's much more to the film than meets the eye. Between all the different objects and places, you can find much more to this one of a kind film than just a few frightening scenes.
Among the Hidden
Among the Hidden
In the novel "Among the Hidden", by Margret Peterson Haddix, Luke unfortunately was born into a world where families are allowed only two children, and he happened to be the third. Now he's forced to hide from the outside world in the attic of his house out on his family's farm, dreaming that one day he could finally be like everyone else. Every day he has to watch his brothers going to school, his dad working outside in the fields and then listen to them complain about freedoms he can only dream of. I think the message Haddix is trying to get across is that we have to appreciate what we have and stop wishing that we could have more. Imagine getting up in the morning and hear your brothers downstairs getting ready for school, complaining about their teacher, all the homework they have to do and not wanting to go. Can you imagine your dreams are their nightmares in a sense. They walk outside, somewhere you've never been before, to go to school and all you can do is imagine it. Then you're forced to sit in a dusty attic all day with little to do. Once your brothers come home and your dad gets home from work you hear them sitting at the table talking about how hard their day was at work and how their teacher gave them detention, while your forced to eat at the bottom of the stairs wishing to have their problems, wanting to be apart of the world they take for granted. The lesson behind "Among the Hidden", like I said before, is to appreciate what you have and not wish for any more. This would be a very good lesson for Luke's family to learn. Complaining about something or somewhere their "invisible" brother could only dream of experiencing. Why? Because they've never stopped and thought about all they have, even though another person right there in their family, will never be able to experience any of it, without risking their own life.
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