The Shop on Main Street (1965)

Brief Intro

“The Shop on Main Street” (1965), directed by Ján Kadár and Elmar Klos, is a poignant Czechoslovakian film set during World War II. The story follows Tóno Brtko, a humble Slovak carpenter, who is appointed as the “Aryan controller” of a Jewish-owned button shop. Through his interactions with the elderly shop owner, Mrs. Lautmannová, Tóno faces moral dilemmas and the harsh realities of the Holocaust.

Literary Devices Used in The Shop on Main Street

Here, we identify ten key literary devices employed in the film, highlighting specific scenes that exemplify each device.

Symbolism

Movie Scene	Device Example
Tóno receiving the shop	The shop symbolizes the moral crossroads Tóno faces between complicity and resistance.
The Star of David on the shop	Represents the persecution of Jewish people and Tóno’s growing awareness of their plight.

Irony

Movie Scene	Device Example
Tóno’s appointment as Aryan controller	Tóno, a poor and kind man, ironically becomes an agent of Nazi policy.
Mrs. Lautmannová’s ignorance of war	Her innocence and obliviousness contrast sharply with the surrounding chaos.

Foreshadowing

Movie Scene	Device Example
Early scenes of anti-Semitism	Subtle hints of growing anti-Jewish sentiments foreshadow the coming persecution.
Tóno’s unease in the shop	His discomfort hints at his eventual moral conflict and breakdown.

Metaphor

Movie Scene	Device Example
Tóno’s carpentry work	Metaphor for his attempt to build and maintain a moral and ethical life.
The dilapidated shop	Represents the crumbling social order and Tóno’s deteriorating mental state.

Juxtaposition

Movie Scene	Device Example
Tóno’s life vs. Mrs. Lautmannová’s	The stark contrast between their lives highlights societal divisions.
Festivities outside vs. shop interior	The joyous outside world juxtaposed with the somber atmosphere in the shop.

Allusion

Movie Scene	Device Example
References to biblical stories	Allusions to sacrifice and redemption present in Tóno’s journey.
Historical references	Hints at broader historical events contextualizing the narrative.

Allegory

Movie Scene	Device Example
Tóno’s moral struggle	An allegory for the wider human conflict between good and evil.
The shop’s state	Represents the condition of human ethics during wartime.

Flashback

Movie Scene	Device Example
Tóno’s memories of happier times	Provide context to his character and deepen the emotional impact.
Mrs. Lautmannová’s past stories	Offer insight into her background and the life lost to war.

Personification

Movie Scene	Device Example
The shop as a character	The shop takes on a life of its own, embodying the conflict and emotions within it.
The town’s mood	The changing atmosphere of the town mirrors the shifting political landscape.

Paradox

Movie Scene	Device Example
Tóno’s role as protector and oppressor	Tóno’s simultaneous roles highlight the complexity of human nature and morality.
The false sense of security	The townspeople’s denial of the inevitable clash with the reality of war.

Character Analysis Through Literary Devices

Tóno Brtko

Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Tóno’s carpentry symbolizes his attempts to maintain moral integrity amidst growing pressure to conform to the oppressive regime.
Irony	His appointment as Aryan controller is deeply ironic, given his fundamentally good nature and aversion to the Nazi ideology.

Mrs. Lautmannová

Device	Explanation
Juxtaposition	Her innocence and obliviousness to the war contrast sharply with the harsh reality surrounding her, highlighting the cruelty of her situation.
Flashback	Her recollections of the past offer a poignant contrast to her present, deepening the tragedy of her situation and providing context for her character’s resilience.

Character Dynamics

Relationship	Explanation
Tóno and Mrs. Lautmannová	Their evolving relationship showcases the tension between personal affection and societal duty, driving the narrative’s emotional core.
Tóno and the town authorities	This dynamic highlights the pressure Tóno faces from external forces, shaping his internal conflict and character development.

Thematic Analysis

Humanity vs. Inhumanity

Device	Explanation
Symbolism	The shop represents the battleground of Tóno’s humanity against the inhumanity of the Nazi regime.
Irony	Tóno’s role as both a savior and a perpetrator highlights the complexities of human nature in the face of systemic evil.

Moral Conflict

Device	Explanation
Metaphor	Tóno’s carpentry work as a metaphor for his attempts to construct a moral path through a world falling apart.
Juxtaposition	The contrasting atmospheres of the lively town and the somber shop emphasize Tóno’s internal struggle between societal expectations and personal ethics.

Isolation and Connection

Device	Explanation
Allegory	Mrs. Lautmannová’s isolation serves as an allegory for the broader social isolation of Jewish people during the Holocaust.
Personification	The shop itself acts as a character, embodying the loneliness and fleeting moments of connection experienced by the characters within it.

Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Symbolism	Lighting	Use of light and shadow in the shop to symbolize Tóno’s moral dilemmas and the encroaching darkness of Nazi occupation.
Irony	Music	Contrasting cheerful music with scenes of oppression to underscore the irony of the characters’ situations.
Foreshadowing	Camera Angles	Subtle camera angles and perspectives hinting at future conflicts and tensions within the narrative.
Metaphor	Set Design	The deteriorating state of the shop as a visual metaphor for the crumbling social order and Tóno’s mental state.
Juxtaposition	Editing	Sharp cuts between the joyful town and the somber interior of the shop to highlight the juxtaposition of external and internal worlds.
Allusion	Costume Design	Period-accurate costumes that allude to historical contexts and deepen the narrative’s connection to real-world events.
Allegory	Sound Design	Use of ambient sounds to create an atmosphere that supports the allegorical elements of Tóno’s internal and external conflicts.
Flashback	Visual Effects	Soft-focus and desaturated colors to distinguish flashbacks from the present, enhancing the emotional resonance of past memories.
Personification	Props	Strategic use of props to give the shop a character-like presence, contributing to the personification of the setting.
Paradox	Dialogue	Clever use of paradoxical statements in dialogue to highlight the complexities and contradictions inherent in the characters’ situations.

Key Scene Analysis

Scene Selection

Scene 1: Tóno’s Appointment as Aryan Controller
Link: YouTube Link 1
Breakdown: This scene introduces the central conflict, highlighting the irony of Tóno’s situation and setting the stage for his moral dilemmas. The use of lighting and music enhances the tension and irony, emphasizing the character’s inner turmoil.

Scene 2: Tóno and Mrs. Lautmannová’s Bonding Moment
Link: YouTube Link 2
Breakdown: This tender scene showcases the development of their relationship, using close-up shots and soft lighting to emphasize their growing bond and the humanity that persists despite external pressures.

Scene 3: The Final Confrontation
Link: YouTube Link 3
Breakdown: In this climactic scene, the convergence of literary devices and cinematic techniques creates a powerful emotional impact. The use of shadows, rapid editing, and intense music underscores the gravity of Tóno’s ultimate decision and the tragic resolution of the story.

Conclusion

To engage with the film’s rich use of literary devices, take this interactive quiz:

Quiz:

1. Which device is used to symbolize Tóno’s moral struggle?
   a) Metaphor
   b) Allegory
   c) Personification
2. What does the shop primarily symbolize in the film?
   a) Wealth
   b) Moral crossroads
   c) Historical context
3. Which cinematic technique is used to foreshadow future conflicts?
   a) Lighting
   b) Camera Angles
   c) Costume Design

Answers: 1) a, 2) b, 3) b