Ratatouille (2007)

Brief Intro

Ratatouille (2007), directed by Brad Bird, tells the whimsical story of Remy, a rat with an extraordinary culinary talent, who dreams of becoming a chef in the heart of Paris. This Pixar animated film explores themes of passion, identity, and the pursuit of dreams against all odds.

Literary Devices Used in Ratatouille

Metaphor

Movie Scene	Device Example
Remy describing cooking as “an art” to Emile	Cooking symbolizes creative expression and passion
Gusteau’s motto, “Anyone can cook”	Represents the belief that greatness can come from the most unexpected places

Symbolism

Movie Scene	Device Example
The Ratatouille dish served to Anton Ego	Symbolizes comfort, nostalgia, and the essence of culinary art
The restaurant Gusteau’s	Represents dreams and the peak of culinary achievement

Foreshadowing

Movie Scene	Device Example
Remy’s early fascination with the TV chef Gusteau	Hints at his future career in cooking
Linguini almost knocking over Remy’s home	Suggests their intertwined destinies

Irony

Movie Scene	Device Example
A rat aspiring to be a chef in a human-dominated industry	Situational irony, highlighting the absurdity of the situation
Anton Ego, a harsh critic, being moved by a simple peasant dish	Dramatic irony, showing his unexpected vulnerability

Personification

Movie Scene	Device Example
Remy’s internal dialogue with Gusteau’s spirit	Gives Gusteau’s character life beyond death
The food speaking to Remy as he tastes it	Represents Remy’s deep connection to flavors

Hyperbole

Movie Scene	Device Example
Linguini’s exaggerated reactions when trying to cook without Remy	Highlights his incompetence and desperation
Remy’s description of the flavors exploding in his mouth	Emphasizes his extraordinary palate

Flashback

Movie Scene	Device Example
Anton Ego’s flashback to his childhood upon tasting ratatouille	Reveals the dish’s emotional impact on him
Remy recalling his family’s disapproval of his cooking dreams	Provides backstory and character motivation

Allusion

Movie Scene	Device Example
Gusteau’s motto “Anyone can cook”	Alludes to the idea of the American Dream
Remy’s journey mirrors that of a classic underdog story	References the hero’s journey archetype

Juxtaposition

Movie Scene	Device Example
The pristine kitchen vs. the cluttered sewer	Highlights Remy’s dual existence between two worlds
Linguini’s clumsiness vs. Remy’s precision	Emphasizes their contrasting skills and need for each other

Motif

Movie Scene	Device Example
Repeated references to Gusteau’s book and motto	Reinforces the theme of dreams and possibilities
The recurring scenes of Remy’s family scavenging	Contrasts with Remy’s refined palate and ambitions

Character Analysis Through Literary Devices

Character Studies

Remy

Literary Device	Explanation
Metaphor	Cooking as an art reflects Remy’s passion and creativity
Symbolism	Remy’s heightened sense of taste symbolizes his unique talents

Linguini

Literary Device	Explanation
Irony	Linguini’s incompetence contrasts with his eventual success as a chef
Juxtaposition	His clumsiness against Remy’s precision highlights their interdependence

Anton Ego

Literary Device	Explanation
Flashback	The childhood memory scene reveals his softer, nostalgic side
Irony	His transformation from a harsh critic to an admirer of Remy’s cooking

Gusteau

Literary Device	Explanation
Personification	His spirit guides Remy, representing inspiration beyond death
Allusion	His motto reflects broader themes of opportunity and dreams

Character Dynamics

Remy and Linguini’s relationship is central to the narrative, showcasing the power of teamwork and mutual dependence. Linguini’s clumsiness and Remy’s culinary genius form a perfect symbiosis, driving the plot and emphasizing themes of collaboration and breaking stereotypes.

Anton Ego’s dynamic with Remy and Linguini highlights the transformative power of art. His initial skepticism and harsh criticism evolve into admiration and respect, symbolizing how genuine talent can change even the most rigid perspectives.

Thematic Analysis

Dreams and Aspirations

Literary Device	Explanation
Metaphor	Remy’s journey to become a chef represents the pursuit of dreams
Allusion	Gusteau’s motto alludes to the American Dream, emphasizing possibility

Identity and Acceptance

Literary Device	Explanation
Juxtaposition	Remy’s life in the sewers vs. the kitchen showcases his struggle for acceptance
Irony	A rat finding his place in the human culinary world highlights issues of identity

Transformation and Growth

Literary Device	Explanation
Flashback	Anton Ego’s childhood memory signifies personal growth and change
Symbolism	The ratatouille dish symbolizes transformation and the power of simplicity

Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Metaphor	Visuals of Paris	The beautiful animation of Paris enhances the metaphor of the city as a place of dreams
Symbolism	Color palette	The warm, inviting colors of the kitchen contrast with the dark, dingy sewers, highlighting Remy’s aspirations
Irony	Character design	Linguini’s exaggerated clumsiness visually contrasts with Remy’s sleek precision
Personification	Sound design	Gusteau’s voice guiding Remy adds a personal touch, making the character feel alive
Hyperbole	Animation style	Linguini’s exaggerated movements and reactions add humor and emphasize his ineptitude
Flashback	Editing	The seamless transition to Anton Ego’s childhood memory uses soft lighting and nostalgic music to evoke emotion

Key Scene Analysis

Remy Meets Linguini
Remy Meets Linguini Scene
In this pivotal scene, Remy and Linguini’s partnership is formed. The use of juxtaposition between Linguini’s clumsy actions and Remy’s precise movements highlights their complementary skills. The sound design enhances the comedic and dramatic elements, making their interaction memorable.

Anton Ego’s Review
Anton Ego’s Review Scene
This scene showcases Ego’s transformation. The flashback to his childhood, triggered by tasting the ratatouille, uses soft lighting and nostalgic music to create a powerful emotional impact. The use of irony, as a harsh critic is moved by a simple dish, underscores the film’s themes of simplicity and transformation.

Final Scene
Final Scene
In the final scene, the culmination of the film’s themes and character arcs is depicted. The warm colors and uplifting music symbolize hope and new beginnings. The visual of the bustling kitchen, now inclusive of Remy and his family, represents acceptance and unity.

Conclusion

To engage readers and test their understanding of the literary devices used in Ratatouille, here’s a fun and interactive quiz!

Quiz: How Well Do You Know the Literary Devices in Ratatouille?

1. What does the ratatouille dish symbolize in the movie?
   • A) Wealth
   • B) Nostalgia and simplicity
   • C) Adventure
2. Which device is used when Remy talks to Gusteau’s spirit?
   • A) Hyperbole
   • B) Personification
   • C) Irony
3. How is foreshadowing used in the movie?
   • A) Remy’s early fascination with cooking
   • B) Linguini’s clumsiness
   • C) Anton Ego’s childhood memory
4. What does the juxtaposition of the kitchen and the sewers represent?
   • A) The contrast between wealth and poverty
   • B) Remy’s dual existence and struggle for acceptance
   • C) The differences in culinary styles
5. Which literary device is highlighted by Anton Ego’s transformation?
   • A) Allusion
   • B) Flashback
   • C) Irony

Answers: 1-B, 2-B, 3-A, 4-B, 5-C