The Handmaiden (2016)

Brief Intro

🖼️ The Handmaiden, directed by Park Chan-wook, is a visually stunning psychological thriller set in 1930s Korea. The film weaves a complex narrative of deception, love, and power, drawing from Sarah Waters’ novel Fingersmith. Its intricate plot and richly developed characters are bolstered by masterful use of literary devices, making it a cinematic masterpiece.

Literary Devices Used in The Handmaiden

Metaphor

Movie Scene	Example
Lady Hideko’s Reading Room	The cherry blossoms symbolize fragility and beauty.
Sook-hee and Hideko in the Bathroom	The pearl earrings represent purity and deceit.

Symbolism

Movie Scene	Example
Hideko’s Closet	The antique dresses symbolize repression and societal expectations.
Sook-hee’s Letters	The letters symbolize hope and betrayal.

Irony

Movie Scene	Example
Sook-hee’s Initial Deception	Sook-hee, intending to con Hideko, falls in love with her.
Uncle Kouzuki’s Library	The grand library, meant to showcase wealth, is a place of torture.

Foreshadowing

Movie Scene	Example
Hideko’s Reading Practice	The gruesome readings foreshadow her ultimate rebellion.
Sook-hee’s Introduction	Sook-hee’s initial hesitation foreshadows her inner conflict.

Flashback

Movie Scene	Example
Hideko’s Childhood	Flashbacks reveal her traumatic upbringing.
Sook-hee’s Background	Flashbacks provide insight into her con-artist background.

Juxtaposition

Movie Scene	Example
The Luxurious Mansion vs. The Servant Quarters	Contrasts the wealth and oppression present in the story.
Sook-hee’s Innocence vs. Hideko’s Experience	Highlights their different but converging life paths.

Imagery

Movie Scene	Example
Garden Scenes	Vivid descriptions of the garden symbolize freedom and entrapment.
The Library	Dark, oppressive imagery enhances the sinister atmosphere.

Allusion

Movie Scene	Example
Japanese Erotic Books	Allude to real historical erotica, adding depth to the cultural setting.
Hideko’s Readings	Allude to classic literature, emphasizing the perversion of innocence.

Personification

Movie Scene	Example
The Mansion	The house seems to breathe and trap its inhabitants.
The Library	The books are described as whispering secrets.

Allegory

Movie Scene	Example
Hideko’s Rebellion	Represents a broader fight against patriarchy and oppression.
The Con Plot	Acts as an allegory for the deceptive nature of appearances.

Character Analysis Through Literary Devices

Character Studies

Sook-hee

Literary Device	Explanation
Irony	Sook-hee’s initial plan to deceive Hideko ironically leads to true love.
Flashback	Provides a deeper understanding of her motivations and past.

Lady Hideko

Literary Device	Explanation
Symbolism	The antique dresses she wears symbolize her repression.
Foreshadowing	Her readings foreshadow her eventual rebellion.

Count Fujiwara

Literary Device	Explanation
Metaphor	His character is a metaphor for greed and manipulation.
Juxtaposition	His polished exterior contrasts with his corrupt nature.

Uncle Kouzuki

Literary Device	Explanation
Imagery	His library filled with sinister imagery represents his perverse control.
Allusion	His character alludes to tyrannical figures in literature.

Character Dynamics

The relationship between Sook-hee and Hideko evolves from one of deceit to genuine affection, highlighting themes of trust and betrayal. Count Fujiwara’s manipulative interactions with both women drive the plot’s tension, while Uncle Kouzuki’s oppressive control underscores the film’s critique of patriarchal power.

Thematic Analysis

Deception

Literary Device	Explanation
Irony	The initial deceit between Sook-hee and Hideko transforms into genuine love.
Flashback	Flashbacks reveal hidden truths and motives.

Power Dynamics

Literary Device	Explanation
Metaphor	The mansion serves as a metaphor for control and dominance.
Imagery	The oppressive imagery in the library symbolizes Uncle Kouzuki’s control.

Identity and Transformation

Literary Device	Explanation
Juxtaposition	Contrasts between characters highlight their transformative journeys.
Symbolism	Objects like dresses and letters symbolize changes in identity.

Freedom and Entrapment

Literary Device	Explanation
Allegory	Hideko’s rebellion acts as an allegory for escaping societal norms.
Personification	The mansion’s seemingly alive presence represents entrapment.

Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Symbolism	Visual Composition	The use of symbolic objects in detailed frames enhances themes.
Imagery	Lighting and Color	Dark, oppressive lighting in the library creates a sinister mood.
Irony	Sound Design	Contrasting cheerful music during dark scenes emphasizes irony.
Metaphor	Camera Angles	High-angle shots of the mansion highlight its dominance.
Juxtaposition	Editing	Rapid cuts between contrasting scenes emphasize differences.

Key Scene Analysis

Scene 1: The Bath Scene

• YouTube Link: The Bath Scene (Please verify and replace with an actual working link)
• Scene Breakdown: This scene intricately uses close-up shots and intimate sound design to highlight the growing bond between Sook-hee and Hideko, blending sensuality with underlying tension.

Scene 2: Hideko’s Reading

• YouTube Link: Hideko’s Reading (Please verify and replace with an actual working link)
• Scene Breakdown: The disturbing reading sessions are enhanced by the use of dark, oppressive visuals and unsettling background music, which underscore the themes of control and rebellion.

Scene 3: The Escape

• YouTube Link: The Escape (Please verify and replace with an actual working link)
• Scene Breakdown: This climactic scene uses fast-paced editing and dynamic camera movements to convey the urgency and desperation of the characters’ bid for freedom.

Conclusion

To engage your understanding of the literary devices used in The Handmaiden, take this interactive quiz! Test your knowledge and see how well you grasp the film’s intricate narrative techniques.

Interactive Multiple Choice Quiz

Question 1: Which literary device is primarily used in the depiction of Hideko’s antique dresses?

• A) Metaphor
• B) Symbolism
• C) Irony

Question 2: What does the mansion metaphorically represent in the film?

• A) Freedom
• B) Wealth
• C) Control

Question 3: Which technique enhances the use of imagery in the library scenes?

• A) Camera Angles
• B) Lighting and Color
• C) Sound Design