Come and See (1985)

Brief Intro

“Come and See,” directed by Elem Klimov, is a harrowing depiction of the horrors of World War II, specifically focusing on the Nazi occupation of Belarus. Through the eyes of a young boy named Florya, the film takes viewers on a devastating journey that illustrates the brutal realities of war.

Literary Devices Used in Come and See

Symbolism

Movie Scene	Device Example
Florya’s discovery of the rifle	The rifle symbolizes the loss of innocence.
The cow’s death	Represents the destruction of life and normalcy.

Irony

Movie Scene	Device Example
Florya’s excitement to join the partisans	The stark contrast of his initial excitement and subsequent horror.
The German soldier’s pleading	The enemy, who once showed no mercy, now begging for his life.

Foreshadowing

Movie Scene	Device Example
Florya’s mother’s warning	Hints at the upcoming horrors he will face.
The eerie calm before the village attack	Suggests impending doom and destruction.

Imagery

Movie Scene	Device Example
Burning village scenes	Vivid, haunting images of devastation.
Close-ups of Florya’s face	Detailed portrayal of his emotional and physical transformation.

Juxtaposition

Movie Scene	Device Example
Scenes of serene countryside vs. war chaos	Highlights the contrast between peace and violence.
Florya’s initial innocence vs. his later trauma	Emphasizes the impact of war on the human spirit.

Allegory

Movie Scene	Device Example
Florya’s journey	Represents the journey from innocence to experience.
The swamp scene	An allegory for the moral and psychological quagmire of war.

Metaphor

Movie Scene	Device Example
The film’s title “Come and See”	A metaphor for witnessing the unspeakable horrors of war.
The ruined village	Metaphor for the shattered lives and communities during the war.

Motif

Movie Scene	Device Example
The recurring presence of the camera	A motif highlighting the act of witnessing.
Sounds of war	The constant motif of gunfire and explosions underscores the omnipresence of conflict.

Personification

Movie Scene	Device Example
The forest reacting to war sounds	The natural environment seems to respond to human conflict.
The doll in the ruins	Personifies lost innocence and childhood.

Paradox

Movie Scene	Device Example
The beautiful landscape vs. horrific events	The paradox of beauty and horror coexisting.
Florya’s survival amidst widespread death	The contradiction of life continuing in the midst of pervasive death.

Character Analysis Through Literary Devices

Florya (Main Character)

Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Florya’s transformation symbolizes lost innocence.
Imagery	Close-ups of his face show his psychological decline.

Glasha (Supporting Character)

Device	Explanation
Irony	Her initial hope and subsequent disillusionment.
Juxtaposition	Contrasts her past life with the war-torn present.

Character Dynamics
The relationship between Florya and Glasha drives the narrative, highlighting themes of innocence lost and the harsh impact of war on personal connections. Their bond, initially based on shared hopes, becomes a poignant commentary on human resilience amid trauma.

Thematic Analysis

War and Innocence

Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Florya’s rifle symbolizes his stolen childhood.
Imagery	Graphic scenes depict the brutal loss of innocence.

Survival and Trauma

Device	Explanation
Irony	Characters who seek refuge in war zones paradoxically find themselves in danger.
Personification	The environment’s reaction to war mirrors human trauma.

Moral Ambiguity

Device	Explanation
Paradox	The coexistence of beauty and horror in war.
Metaphor	The ruined village as a metaphor for moral decay.

Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices

Visual and Sound Techniques

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Symbolism	Use of color and lighting	Dark, muted tones symbolize the grim reality of war.
Imagery	Close-up shots	Emphasize the emotional and physical toll on characters.
Irony	Juxtaposition of sound	Cheerful music contrasts with horrific visuals, enhancing the irony.

Key Scene Analysis

Burning Village Scene
Link to scene
Breakdown: This scene uses intense imagery and sound to convey the horror of war, with the visual of the burning village representing the destruction of life and community.

Swamp Scene
Link to scene
Breakdown: The swamp acts as an allegory for the moral and psychological quagmire of war, with the murky water symbolizing the characters’ struggle to maintain their humanity.

Conclusion

Interactive Quiz

1. What does Florya’s rifle symbolize?
   a) Power
   b) Lost innocence
   c) Victory
   d) Freedom
2. Which literary device is used when cheerful music plays over horrific scenes?
   a) Imagery
   b) Irony
   c) Metaphor
   d) Symbolism
3. What does the swamp scene allegorically represent?
   a) Natural beauty
   b) Moral and psychological struggle
   c) Physical endurance
   d) Triumph over adversity
4. How does the use of close-up shots function in the film?
   a) To show the environment
   b) To emphasize the characters’ emotional states
   c) To highlight background details
   d) To create confusion