This document discusses symbolism in short films. It provides objectives about understanding symbolism and extracting meaning from symbols. It includes examples of symbols from the films "The Most Beautiful Man in the World" and "The Man with the Beautiful Eyes" such as a pond, beetle, goldfish pond, bamboo. It asks the reader to identify symbols in the films and what they might represent. It also discusses how symbols can represent qualities, ideas, or be connected to things in people's minds. Questions are provided about what specific symbols might represent in the analyzed films.

1. IGCSE
Short Film - Symbols

2. Objectives
Understand symbolism in film
Use evidence to enrich and explain ideas
Extract meaning beyond the literal

3. Symbol
Describe as
many symbols
as you can think
of in the school
environment.

4. Viewing
The Most Beautiful Man in the World
Complete this web, identifying Symbol used in the film and
symbols
s
noting what you think they represent.
Pond Beetle Etc. Etc
Investigation Sensuality Omen Ambivalence

5. Viewing
The Man with the Beautiful Eyes
Complete this web, identifying symbols used in the film and
Symbol
noting what you think they represent.
s
Goldfish Pond Bamboo Etc. Etc
Colour/vibrancy Life/Death Foreign Exotic

6. How do Symbols work in media
texts?
Drawing on the definition of symbolism provided, work through the
different modes in the two films.
Answer the questions in as much detail as possible.
1) a sign, shape or object which is used to represent something else:
What is Tarzan a symbol of in The Man with the Beautiful Eyes?
2) something that is used to represent a quality or idea:
What is the field a symbol of in The Most Beautiful Man in the
World?
4) An object can be described as a symbol of something else if it
seems to represent it because it is connected with it in a lot of
people’s minds:
What is the ‘fifth of whisky’ a symbol of in The Man with the
Beautiful Eyes?

7. Extension
Two Cars One Night
What is the significance of the Maori warrior? What
feelings, attitudes, values does he represent?
Is there any symbolic significance to the stationary cars?