Being There (1979)

Brief Intro

Hal Ashby’s “Being There” (1979) is a satirical comedy-drama that delves into the life of Chance, a simple gardener whose childlike innocence and limited worldview propel him into the upper echelons of society. This film deftly explores themes of media influence, the power of perception, and the emptiness of political rhetoric, all through its unique use of literary and cinematic devices.

Literary Devices Used in Being There

1. Symbolism

Movie Scene	Device Example
Chance watching TV in the garden	Television symbolizes the media’s influence
The final scene at the funeral	The water walking symbolizes naïveté and faith

2. Irony

Movie Scene	Device Example
Chance’s simple gardening advice	Mistaken for profound economic insights
The public’s perception of Chance	Contrasts with his actual ignorance

3. Satire

Movie Scene	Device Example
Political and social elite’s interactions	Satirizes the superficiality of political discourse
Media’s portrayal of Chance	Critiques media’s role in shaping public opinion

4. Motif

Movie Scene	Device Example
Repeated television scenes	Television as a motif representing modern life
Chance’s gardening references	Motif of simplicity and nature throughout the film

5. Foreshadowing

Movie Scene	Device Example
Chance’s interactions with Eve’s maid	Foreshadows his rise in the new household
Ben’s declining health	Foreshadows the transfer of influence to Chance

6. Allegory

Movie Scene	Device Example
Chance’s rise to power	Allegory of the American political system
The garden at the mansion	Allegory for the Garden of Eden

7. Paradox

Movie Scene	Device Example
Chance’s lack of knowledge yet wisdom	Paradox of simple wisdom
The contrast between Chance’s persona	Paradox of the ignorant being perceived as wise

8. Hyperbole

Movie Scene	Device Example
The over-the-top reaction to Chance’s	Hyperbole of society’s gullibility
simplistic statements

9. Juxtaposition

Movie Scene	Device Example
Chance’s simplistic world vs. elite world	Juxtaposition of simplicity and complexity
Garden vs. political arena	Juxtaposition of nature and artificiality

10. Metaphor

Movie Scene	Device Example
Chance’s gardening advice	Metaphor for life and growth
The changing seasons in the garden	Metaphor for the cycles of life

Character Analysis Through Literary Devices

Chance the Gardener

Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Chance’s name symbolizes innocence and randomness in life.
Irony	His ignorance is ironically perceived as profound wisdom.
Allegory	Represents an everyman character thrust into complex situations.

Ben Rand

Device	Explanation
Foreshadowing	His illness foreshadows the transfer of influence to Chance.
Irony	His deep philosophical conversations with Chance are based on misinterpretations.
Symbolism	Represents the dying old guard of American politics and business.

Eve Rand

Device	Explanation
Paradox	Her deep emotional connection with Chance contrasts with his emotional simplicity
Juxtaposition	Her sophisticated world versus Chance’s simple existence.
Metaphor	Her nurturing of Chance symbolizes societal acceptance of surface impressions.

Character Dynamics

The interactions between Chance and the other characters, like Ben and Eve, drive the narrative forward by highlighting the themes of perception and reality. The relationship dynamics showcase how societal status and personal biases can drastically alter the interpretation of one’s actions and words. Through these dynamics, the film critiques the superficiality of societal interactions and the often baseless foundation of influence and power.

Thematic Analysis

Perception vs. Reality

Device	Explanation
Irony	Chance’s simplistic view is seen as profound, highlighting society’s superficial judgments.
Symbolism	The television as a symbol for manipulated perceptions.

Influence of Media

Device	Explanation
Satire	Media’s portrayal of Chance critiques the media’s role in shaping reality.
Motif	Television scenes recurrently show the pervasive influence of media in daily life.

Political Commentary

Device	Explanation
Allegory	Chance’s rise to power serves as an allegory for political incompetence and superficiality.
Hyperbole	The exaggerated reactions to Chance’s statements highlight the absurdity of political discourse.

Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices

Visual and Sound Techniques

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Symbolism	Use of garden imagery	The lush garden visuals symbolize purity and natural wisdom.
Irony	Contrasting mise-en-scène	The simple settings of Chance’s life versus the opulence of the elite’s world.
Satire	Camera angles and framing	Satirical framing of characters to enhance their absurdity.
Motif	Repetitive sound cues	Recurring TV noises to emphasize the motif of media influence.

Key Scene Analysis

Scene: Chance’s Introduction to the Rand Household

• Scene Breakdown: This scene showcases Chance’s naive interactions and how his simplicity is misinterpreted by the elite. His gardening metaphors are seen as deep economic insights.
• YouTube Link: Chance Meets Eve Rand

Scene: The Garden Finale

• Scene Breakdown: In the final scene, Chance walks on water, symbolizing his transcendence above the complex world around him. This scene uses visual allegory to cement the film’s themes.
• YouTube Link: Chance Walks on Water

Conclusion

Interactive Quiz: Test Your Knowledge on ‘Being There’

1. What does the television symbolize in “Being There”?
   • A) Wealth
   • B) Media influence
   • C) Freedom
   • D) Politics
2. How is irony used in the film?
   • A) By showing Chance’s wisdom as genuine
   • B) Through Chance’s ignorance being mistaken for profundity
   • C) By making Chance an expert gardener
   • D) Through the elite understanding Chance perfectly
3. Which literary device is used to critique political discourse in “Being There”?
   • A) Hyperbole
   • B) Metaphor
   • C) Allegory
   • D) Juxtaposition

Answers:

1. B) Media influence
2. B) Through Chance’s ignorance being mistaken for profundity
3. C) Allegory