Metropolis (1927)

Brief Intro

“Metropolis,” directed by Fritz Lang, is a pioneering science fiction film from 1927. Set in a dystopian future, the film explores themes of class struggle, technological advancement, and human emotion through its stunning visuals and complex narrative. It’s a cinematic landmark that has influenced countless works in the genre.

Literary Devices Used in Metropolis

Here, we’ll dive into ten prominent literary devices employed in “Metropolis.” Each device is illustrated with specific scenes from the movie.

Metaphor

Movie Scene	Device Example
The towering cityscape	Represents industrialization and societal hierarchy.
The Heart Machine	Symbolizes the lifeblood of the city and the exploitation of workers.

Symbolism

Movie Scene	Device Example
The Robot Maria	Symbolizes dehumanization and loss of individuality.
The Tower of Babel story	Represents the dangers of ambition and miscommunication.

Allegory

Movie Scene	Device Example
The entire dystopian setting	Allegory for post-World War I society and fears of modernity.
The Worker’s City vs. The Club of the Sons	Represents the class divide.

Foreshadowing

Movie Scene	Device Example
Maria’s visions	Predicts the uprising and chaos.
Freder’s illness	Suggests his impending transformation and role as a mediator.

Irony

Movie Scene	Device Example
Joh Fredersen’s control	Despite his power, he cannot control the impending revolution.
The false Maria inciting violence	Irony in using a robot to manipulate human emotions.

Motif

Movie Scene	Device Example
The recurring use of clocks	Emphasizes the oppression of time and labor.
The Heart Machine’s pulse	Represents the constant demand for productivity.

Juxtaposition

Movie Scene	Device Example
The opulent lifestyle of the elite vs. the grim existence of workers	Highlights societal inequality.
Freder’s luxurious garden vs. the Worker’s City	Emphasizes disparity and segregation.

Personification

Movie Scene	Device Example
The Heart Machine	Given human-like traits to emphasize its central role.
The city itself	Treated as a living entity, consuming and producing.

Allusion

Movie Scene	Device Example
The Tower of Babel story	Direct biblical reference to hubris and downfall.
Maria’s appearance	Alludes to the Madonna, symbolizing hope and purity.

Pathetic Fallacy

Movie Scene	Device Example
Storm during the climax	Reflects the chaos and upheaval in the city.
Dark, oppressive environment of the Worker’s City	Mirrors the hopelessness of the workers.

Character Analysis Through Literary Devices

Character Studies

Freder Fredersen

Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Freder represents the bridge between classes, the heart uniting head and hands.
Allegory	His journey from privilege to empathy embodies the potential for reconciliation.

Maria

Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Maria symbolizes purity, hope, and the voice of the oppressed.
Allegory	Her dual role as the real and false Maria represents truth versus deception.

Joh Fredersen

Device	Explanation
Irony	His quest for control leads to chaos, highlighting the limits of power.
Foreshadowing	His obsession with control hints at his eventual loss of it.

Character Dynamics

Freder and Maria’s relationship serves as the narrative’s moral compass, driving the theme of unity. Their bond symbolizes hope amidst oppression. Joh Fredersen and Rotwang’s dynamic represents the clash of ambition and ethics, reflecting the destructive potential of unchecked power.

Thematic Analysis

Class Struggle

Device	Explanation
Metaphor	The division between the upper city and the Worker’s City represents class disparity.
Juxtaposition	Contrasting scenes of luxury and labor highlight societal inequalities.

Technology and Dehumanization

Device	Explanation
Symbolism	The robot Maria exemplifies the loss of humanity in technological advancement.
Allegory	The Heart Machine’s collapse symbolizes the failure of a society reliant solely on technology.

Reconciliation and Hope

Device	Explanation
Allegory	Freder’s role as a mediator symbolizes the potential for reconciliation.
Motif	Repeated imagery of hands joining signifies unity and hope.

Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Metaphor	Set design	The towering skyscrapers visually represent societal hierarchy.
Symbolism	Lighting	Stark contrasts between light and shadow emphasize themes of enlightenment and ignorance.
Allegory	Camera angles	Low angles on the city and high angles on workers to show power dynamics.
Irony	Music score	Juxtaposing joyful music with scenes of suffering to highlight absurdity.
Foreshadowing	Visual motifs	Recurring imagery, such as clocks, hint at future events.

Key Scene Analysis

Scene: The Transformation of Maria

YouTube Link

Breakdown: This scene uses allegory and symbolism to highlight themes of dehumanization and manipulation. The dramatic transformation of Maria into a robot represents the corrupting influence of power and technology. The eerie lighting and mechanical sound effects enhance the unsettling nature of the transformation.

Scene: The Collapse of the Heart Machine

YouTube Link

Breakdown: The climax where the Heart Machine collapses is a powerful metaphor for the collapse of societal structures. The frantic editing and chaotic sound design amplify the sense of impending doom. This scene vividly illustrates the consequences of exploitation and the need for reconciliation.

Conclusion

To wrap up our literary journey through “Metropolis,” let’s test your understanding with a quick quiz!

Interactive Quiz:

1. What does the robot Maria symbolize?
   • A) Humanity
   • B) Dehumanization
   • C) Technology
2. Which literary device is primarily used in the contrast between the Worker’s City and the upper city?
   • A) Irony
   • B) Juxtaposition
   • C) Metaphor
3. Freder’s transformation from privilege to empathy is an example of:
   • A) Allegory
   • B) Foreshadowing
   • C) Personification

Answers:

1. B) Dehumanization
2. B) Juxtaposition
3. A) Allegory