“There Will Be Blood,” directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, is a gripping drama based on Upton Sinclair’s novel “Oil!” The film follows the ruthless oilman Daniel Plainview, whose ambition and greed lead to his moral and personal downfall. With stellar performances, especially by Daniel Day-Lewis, and a haunting score by Jonny Greenwood, this film is a modern masterpiece that explores themes of power, ambition, and corruption.
Device: SymbolismExplanationDaniel’s character is a symbol of unchecked ambition and greed. His descent into madness represents the corrupting power of wealth.
Device: IronyExplanationDaniel presents himself as a family man, yet he exploits and discards those closest to him, highlighting his hypocritical nature.
Eli Sunday
Device: AllegoryExplanationEli represents the morally dubious nature of organized religion. His manipulation and eventual downfall serve as a critique of religious hypocrisy.
Device: JuxtapositionExplanationEli’s pious persona is starkly contrasted with his greed and ambition, underscoring his complex and contradictory nature.
H.W. Plainview
Device: ForeshadowingExplanationH.W.’s hearing loss foreshadows his eventual emotional and physical separation from Daniel, symbolizing the ultimate cost of Daniel’s ambition.
Device: Symbolic Character NamesExplanationH.W. (initials) suggests an incomplete identity, reflecting his struggle to define himself apart from his father.
Character Dynamics
Daniel and H.W.ExplanationTheir relationship drives the narrative, with H.W.’s injury and subsequent estrangement highlighting Daniel’s ruthless nature and emotional void.
Daniel and EliExplanationThe antagonistic relationship between Daniel and Eli underscores the central conflict between capitalism and religion, each vying for dominance and moral superiority.
Thematic Analysis
Power and Corruption
Device: SymbolismExplanationThe oil represents power and wealth, corrupting all who seek it. Daniel’s descent into madness is a testament to this theme.
Device: IronyExplanationThe irony of Daniel’s quest for power is that it ultimately leads to his isolation and downfall, highlighting the corrupting influence of unchecked ambition.
Family and Betrayal
Device: ForeshadowingExplanationH.W.’s early injury foreshadows the eventual betrayal and abandonment by Daniel, underscoring the theme of broken family bonds.
Device: MetaphorExplanationThe drilling for oil serves as a metaphor for Daniel’s exploitation of his family and others, digging deeper into their lives only to discard them when they are no longer useful.
Religion and Hypocrisy
Device: AllegoryExplanationEli’s character serves as an allegory for religious hypocrisy, using his faith as a tool for personal gain, ultimately mirroring Daniel’s capitalist greed.
Device: JuxtapositionExplanationThe juxtaposition of the church and the oil field visually and thematically represents the conflict between spirituality and materialism.
Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices
Breakdown: The film opens with a desolate landscape and minimal dialogue, establishing the stark, unforgiving world Daniel inhabits. The symbolism of the barren land sets the tone for the themes of ambition and isolation.
Breakdown: Daniel’s baptism by Eli is a pivotal moment, rich with irony and symbolism. The scene visually and thematically explores the power struggle between the two characters, using close-ups and dramatic lighting to enhance the tension.
Breakdown: The film’s climax in the bowling alley is a masterclass in cinematic and literary techniques. The use of sound, setting, and performance culminates in a powerful exploration of Daniel’s complete moral and emotional breakdown.
Conclusion
To engage and test your understanding of the literary devices used in “There Will Be Blood,” here’s an interactive quiz:
Interactive Multiple Choice Quiz
1. What does the barren landscape symbolize in the film?
A) Prosperity
B) Isolation and ambition
C) Harmony
D) Love
2. Which literary device is used to foreshadow H.W.’s separation from Daniel?
