Brief Intro
“The Roaring Twenties” is a classic crime drama directed by Raoul Walsh and starring James Cagney, Priscilla Lane, and Humphrey Bogart. Set against the backdrop of the 1920s Prohibition era, the film chronicles the rise and fall of bootlegger Eddie Bartlett. It is a riveting tale of ambition, crime, and the inevitable consequences of the pursuit of the American Dream.
Literary Devices Used in The Roaring Twenties
Literary devices enrich the narrative and deepen the viewer’s understanding of characters and themes. Here’s a breakdown of the prominent literary devices used in the film:
1. Symbolism
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| Eddie’s army jacket | Represents Eddie’s lingering connection to his past. |
| The nightclub’s neon sign | Symbolizes the fleeting nature of success. |
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| Panama’s warning to Eddie about bootlegging | Hints at Eddie’s eventual downfall. |
| Eddie’s uneasy feeling during the war | Predicts his future struggles in civilian life. |
3. Irony
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| Eddie fighting for a country that later neglects him | Highlights the irony of his sacrifices. |
| Jean’s initial disinterest in Eddie | She later falls for him when he is at his lowest. |
4. Flashback
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| Eddie’s recollections of the war | Provides context for his actions and motivations. |
| Panama reminiscing about past glories | Highlights the contrast between past and present. |
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| Eddie’s rise to power vs. his downfall | Emphasizes the volatility of his life. |
| The lavish parties vs. the Great Depression scenes | Highlights the economic disparity of the era. |
6. Metaphor
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| Eddie as a soldier in civilian clothes | Metaphor for his struggle to fit into post-war society. |
| The nightclub as a battlefield | Represents the ongoing struggle for power and control. |
7. Allegory
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| Eddie’s story | Allegory for the American Dream and its pitfalls. |
| The Prohibition era depicted in the film | Reflects societal issues and moral dilemmas of the time. |
8. Dialogue
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| Eddie’s conversations with Panama | Reveals his internal conflicts and desires. |
| The banter between Eddie and his gang | Showcases their camaraderie and loyalty. |
9. Motif
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| The recurring jazz music | Motif representing the era’s vibrancy and chaos. |
| The use of shadows in cinematography | Motif indicating danger and moral ambiguity. |
10. Personification
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| The city as a living entity | Described as ever-changing and unforgiving. |
| The law enforcement as a relentless force | Depicted as constantly pursuing Eddie. |
Character Analysis Through Literary Devices
Character Studies
Eddie Bartlett
| Device | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Symbolism | Eddie’s army jacket symbolizes his inability to let go of the past. |
| Foreshadowing | His uneasy feeling about civilian life hints at his future troubles. |
Jean Sherman
| Device | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Irony | Initially uninterested in Eddie, she later loves him when he is at his lowest. |
| Dialogue | Her conversations with Eddie reveal her evolving feelings and aspirations. |
Panama Smith
| Device | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Flashback | Her reminiscences provide insight into her loyalty and complex relationship with Eddie. |
| Juxtaposition | Her steady life contrasts with Eddie’s turbulent existence, highlighting her strength. |
Lloyd Hart
| Device | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Metaphor | Represents the law and moral righteousness, contrasting Eddie’s life of crime. |
| Allegory | His character serves as a moral compass and an ideal of the American Dream. |
George Hally
| Device | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Personification | The embodiment of ruthless ambition and betrayal. |
| Motif | His actions underscore the recurring themes of greed and power struggle. |
Character Dynamics
The relationships between Eddie, Jean, Panama, Lloyd, and George drive the narrative, showcasing themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the pursuit of success. Eddie’s bond with Panama reflects loyalty and unspoken love, while his dynamic with Jean reveals his softer side and his ultimate downfall. The tension between Eddie and George highlights the cutthroat nature of their world, and Lloyd’s presence serves as a moral counterpoint to Eddie’s descent into crime.
Thematic Analysis
American Dream
| Device | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Allegory | Eddie’s rise and fall symbolize the American Dream’s allure and disillusionment. |
| Irony | Eddie fights for his country, only to be abandoned by it, highlighting the dream’s harsh reality. |
Friendship and Loyalty
| Device | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Dialogue | Conversations between Eddie and Panama reveal deep loyalty. |
| Flashback | Eddie’s reminiscences about his comrades in the war reflect themes of camaraderie. |
Moral Ambiguity
| Device | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Juxtaposition | Scenes of lavish parties vs. crime highlight moral ambiguities. |
| Metaphor | The nightclub as a battlefield underscores the moral conflicts. |
Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices
Visual and Sound Techniques
| Literary Device | Technique | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Symbolism | Lighting | Use of shadows to symbolize danger and moral ambiguity. |
| Foreshadowing | Music | Ominous music hints at impending doom. |
| Irony | Camera Angles | High angles show Eddie’s vulnerability, contrasting his tough exterior. |
| Flashback | Editing | Smooth transitions to past scenes provide context and depth. |
| Juxtaposition | Set Design | Contrasting lavish and bleak settings highlight economic disparity. |
| Metaphor | Visual Metaphors | War imagery used in civilian scenes to symbolize Eddie’s struggles. |
| Allegory | Narrative Structure | Eddie’s story arc as an allegory for the American Dream. |
| Dialogue | Sound Mixing | Emphasizes emotional undertones in character interactions. |
| Motif | Repetitive Elements | Recurring jazz music to signify the era’s chaos. |
| Personification | Cityscapes | The city is depicted as ever-changing and unforgiving through dynamic visuals. |
Key Scene Analysis
Scene Selection
1. Eddie’s Return from War
- Watch the Scene
- Breakdown: Eddie’s return from war symbolizes the beginning of his internal conflict and foreshadows his future struggles. The use of somber music and dim lighting highlights his uneasy transition to civilian life.
2. Eddie’s Rise to Power
- Watch the Scene
- Breakdown: This scene uses montage and jazz music to depict Eddie’s rapid rise in the bootlegging business. The vibrant visuals and fast-paced editing mirror the excitement and chaos of the Prohibition era.
3. The Nightclub Shootout
- Watch the Scene
- Breakdown: This intense scene uses dramatic lighting and sharp sound effects to heighten the tension. The juxtaposition of the glamorous nightclub setting with the violence underscores the film’s themes of moral ambiguity and the dangers of ambition.
4. Eddie’s Final Moments
- Watch the Scene
- Breakdown: The culmination of Eddie’s journey is portrayed through a poignant blend of visuals and music. The use of shadows and a melancholic score emphasize his tragic end, highlighting the ultimate cost of his choices.
Conclusion
Let’s wrap up with an interactive quiz to test your understanding of the literary devices in “The Roaring Twenties.”
Quiz:
- What does Eddie’s army jacket symbolize?
- A) His fashion sense
- B) His past
- C) His wealth
- D) His strength
- Which literary device is used to hint at Eddie’s downfall?
- A) Symbolism
- B) Metaphor
- C) Foreshadowing
- D) Juxtaposition
- How is the American Dream depicted in Eddie’s story?
- A) As a guaranteed success
- B) As an easy journey
- C) As a mix of allure and disillusionment
- D) As unrelated to Eddie’s life
- What does the nightclub setting often symbolize?
- A) Peace
- B) Conflict and ambition
- C) Simplicity
- D) Nature
- Which technique is used to enhance the irony in Eddie’s character?