Persona (1966)

Brief Intro

Persona, directed by Ingmar Bergman, is a psychological drama that delves deep into identity, isolation, and the human psyche. The story revolves around a famous actress, Elisabet Vogler, who suddenly stops speaking, and her nurse, Alma, who takes care of her. As they retreat to a secluded summer house, their identities begin to blur and intertwine, leading to a powerful exploration of self and other.

Literary Devices Used in Persona

1. Symbolism

Movie Scene	Device Example
Opening sequence with various symbolic images	The film opens with a montage of symbolic images, including a spider, a sheep being slaughtered, and a nail being hammered into a hand, suggesting themes of entrapment, sacrifice, and pain.
Elisabet’s silence	Elisabet’s refusal to speak symbolizes a deeper psychological withdrawal and the breakdown of her identity.

2. Metaphor

Movie Scene	Device Example
Alma and Elisabet’s face merging	The scene where Alma and Elisabet’s faces blend into one serves as a metaphor for their merging identities and the fluidity of self.
The broken glass	The scene where Alma cuts herself on broken glass can be seen as a metaphor for the fragility of the human psyche and the potential for self-destruction.

3. Motif

Movie Scene	Device Example
Repeated shots of faces	The frequent close-ups of faces throughout the film emphasize the motif of identity and the human condition.
Silence and speech	The recurring contrast between Elisabet’s silence and Alma’s speech highlights the motif of communication and its complexities.

4. Juxtaposition

Movie Scene	Device Example
Contrasting monologues	The film often places Alma’s expressive monologues against Elisabet’s silence, juxtaposing their different ways of coping with reality.
Light and shadow	The stark lighting contrasts, especially in the scenes in the summer house, juxtapose clarity and obscurity, reflecting the characters’ inner turmoil.

5. Allegory

Movie Scene	Device Example
Opening sequence	The surreal opening sequence serves as an allegory for the subconscious mind and the various elements that constitute human identity.
Alma’s storytelling	Alma’s recounting of her past experiences can be interpreted as an allegory for guilt, shame, and the search for self-understanding.

6. Foreshadowing

Movie Scene	Device Example
Elisabet’s initial reaction to Alma	Elisabet’s intense gaze at Alma in the beginning foreshadows their later psychological entanglement.
The letter Alma finds	The letter Alma discovers, in which Elisabet writes about her, foreshadows the eventual breakdown of trust and the blurring of their identities.

7. Irony

Movie Scene	Device Example
Elisabet’s profession	Elisabet, an actress who uses her voice to convey emotions, ironically chooses silence in real life, highlighting the disconnect between her public persona and private self.
Alma’s control	Alma, who initially seems to have control over the silent Elisabet, gradually loses her own sense of identity and control, creating situational irony.

8. Paradox

Movie Scene	Device Example
The silence speaks	Elisabet’s silence paradoxically communicates more than words, revealing deep psychological truths.
Identity confusion	The paradox of Alma becoming Elisabet while trying to care for her highlights the fluidity and complexity of identity.

9. Imagery

Movie Scene	Device Example
Beach scenes	The serene yet stark beach scenes create powerful visual imagery that reflects the isolation and existential themes of the film.
Dream sequences	The surreal and fragmented dream sequences are rich with disturbing and evocative imagery, illustrating the characters’ inner conflicts.

10. Stream of Consciousness

Movie Scene	Device Example
Alma’s monologues	Alma’s long, uninterrupted monologues are presented in a stream of consciousness style, revealing her innermost thoughts and feelings.
Elisabet’s silence	Elisabet’s silence can be seen as a silent stream of consciousness, where her internal thoughts are implied rather than spoken.

Character Analysis Through Literary Devices

Character Studies

Elisabet Vogler

Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Elisabet’s silence symbolizes her existential crisis and retreat from societal roles.
Irony	As an actress, her silence is ironic, highlighting the dissonance between her public persona and inner self.

Alma

Device	Explanation
Metaphor	Alma’s emotional unraveling serves as a metaphor for the fragility of identity and the human psyche.
Stream of Consciousness	Her monologues reveal her internal struggles and evolving identity through a stream of consciousness.

Character Dynamics

Device	Explanation
Juxtaposition	The film juxtaposes Alma’s loquacity with Elisabet’s silence, emphasizing their contrasting coping mechanisms.
Allegory	Their relationship serves as an allegory for the exploration of self and other, merging and distinguishing their identities.

Thematic Analysis

Identity

Device	Explanation
Symbolism	The merging faces symbolize the fluidity and confusion of individual identities.
Metaphor	The broken glass represents the fractured and fragile nature of personal identity.

Isolation

Device	Explanation
Imagery	The isolated beach house setting visually underscores the theme of isolation.
Paradox	Elisabet’s silence isolates her, yet it also creates a paradoxical intimacy with Alma.

Communication

Device	Explanation
Motif	The recurring motif of silence versus speech highlights the complexities and failures of communication.
Irony	The irony of an actress choosing silence underscores the limitations and power of verbal expression.

Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Symbolism	Close-up shots	Close-ups of faces emphasize the symbolic importance of identity and expression.
Imagery	Stark lighting	The use of stark lighting enhances the visual imagery, reflecting inner turmoil and clarity.
Metaphor	Sound design	The eerie, minimalist sound design mirrors the metaphoric psychological landscapes.

Key Scene Analysis

Scene Selection: Persona Opening Sequence

Scene Breakdown:

• Literary and Cinematic Techniques: The opening montage is a collage of symbolic imagery and surreal sequences. It sets the tone for the film’s exploration of identity and psychological conflict. The juxtaposition of serene and disturbing images introduces the film’s themes and prepares the audience for the psychological journey.

Conclusion

Interactive Quiz

1. What does Elisabet’s silence symbolize?
   • A. Fear
   • B. Existential crisis
   • C. Joy
   • D. Anger
2. Which device is used when Alma’s and Elisabet’s faces blend into one?
   • A. Allegory
   • B. Metaphor
   • C. Irony
   • D. Motif
3. What is the significance of the broken glass in the film?
   • A. It represents danger
   • B. It symbolizes the fragility of the psyche
   • C. It is a random event
   • D. It shows Alma’s carelessness
4. How does the film use light and shadow?
   • A. To create a cheerful atmosphere
   • B. To reflect inner turmoil and clarity
   • C. To confuse the audience
   • D. To highlight the setting
5. What does the juxtaposition of speech and silence highlight?
   • A. The importance of dialogue
   • B. The complexities of communication
   • C. The irrelevance of words
   • D. The beauty of silence