Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Brief Intro

“Sunset Boulevard,” directed by Billy Wilder in 1950, is a classic film noir that dives into the dark and twisted world of Hollywood. The film follows the story of a struggling screenwriter, Joe Gillis, who becomes entangled with Norma Desmond, a faded silent film star, leading to a haunting and tragic tale.

Literary Devices Used in Sunset Boulevard

Metaphor

Movie Scene	Example
Opening scene	The decaying mansion represents Norma’s career.
Joe’s narration	Refers to Hollywood as a “dream factory.”

Irony

Movie Scene	Example
Norma’s comeback	Believes she is still a star while being delusional.
Joe’s fate	A writer who ends up a kept man and a victim.

Foreshadowing

Movie Scene	Example
Opening scene with Joe’s body	Hints at Joe’s tragic end.
Joe’s encounter with Norma	Early signs of Norma’s instability.

Symbolism

Movie Scene	Example
Norma’s mansion	Represents her decayed fame.
The pool	Symbolizes Joe’s downfall.

Motif

Movie Scene	Example
Repeated mentions of “the script”	Emphasizes the importance of storytelling.
The spotlight on Norma	Highlights her obsession with fame.

Flashback

Movie Scene	Example
Joe’s narration	Entire story is a flashback.
Norma’s recounting her past	Provides insight into her delusion.

Allusion

Movie Scene	Example
Norma watching her old films	References real silent film era.
DeMille’s appearance	References to real Hollywood figures.

Personification

Movie Scene	Example
Norma’s dialogue about Hollywood	Treats Hollywood as a living entity.
Joe’s car	Described as a “dead thing.”

Hyperbole

Movie Scene	Example
Norma’s dramatic behavior	Her exaggerated emotions and actions.
Joe’s descriptions of Norma	Exaggerates her grandeur and delusion.

Juxtaposition

Movie Scene	Example
Joe’s shabby apartment vs. Norma’s mansion	Contrasts their lives and careers.
Joe’s reality vs. Norma’s delusions	Highlights their different perceptions.

Character Analysis Through Literary Devices

Joe Gillis

Literary Device	Explanation
Foreshadowing	Early scenes hint at his eventual tragic fate.
Irony	A talented writer who becomes a kept man and ultimately meets his demise.

Norma Desmond

Literary Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Her mansion symbolizes her decayed fame.
Hyperbole	Her exaggerated emotions and actions depict her delusional state.

Max von Mayerling

Literary Device	Explanation
Loyalty (motif)	His unwavering loyalty to Norma reveals the depth of his devotion.
Irony	A once-great director reduced to being Norma’s servant.

Character Dynamics

Character Relationship	Explanation
Joe and Norma	Their toxic relationship drives the narrative and themes of ambition and downfall.
Norma and Max	Their codependent relationship highlights themes of loyalty and delusion.

Thematic Analysis

Ambition and Downfall

Literary Device	Explanation
Irony	Norma’s ambition leads to her downfall.
Symbolism	The decaying mansion symbolizes the decline of fame and success.

Illusion vs. Reality

Literary Device	Explanation
Juxtaposition	Contrasts Norma’s delusions with Joe’s reality.
Metaphor	Hollywood as a “dream factory” represents the blurring of illusion and reality.

Obsession

Literary Device	Explanation
Hyperbole	Norma’s exaggerated emotions and actions highlight her obsession with fame.
Motif	Repeated mentions of Norma’s past success emphasize her fixation on her former glory.

Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices

Visual Techniques

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Symbolism	Lighting and set design	The decaying mansion is highlighted through gothic lighting and intricate set design.
Irony	Costume design	Norma’s extravagant costumes contrast with her faded stardom.

Sound Techniques

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Foreshadowing	Music score	The haunting music foreshadows the tragic events.
Hyperbole	Dialogue delivery	Norma’s dramatic dialogue delivery emphasizes her exaggerated emotions.

Key Scene Analysis

Scene Selection: Joe’s First Visit to Norma’s Mansion

• Scene Breakdown: Joe stumbles upon Norma’s mansion and meets her for the first time.
• Literary Devices: Foreshadowing, Symbolism
• Cinematic Techniques: Gothic lighting, eerie music
• Impact: Sets the tone for the film and foreshadows the tragic events.

Scene Selection: Norma’s Final Scene

• Scene Breakdown: Norma descends the staircase, believing she’s on a film set.
• Literary Devices: Irony, Hyperbole
• Cinematic Techniques: Dramatic lighting, close-up shots
• Impact: Highlights Norma’s delusion and the tragic culmination of her obsession.

Conclusion

Interactive Quiz

1. Which literary device is used when Norma’s mansion is depicted as decaying?
   • A) Metaphor
   • B) Symbolism
   • C) Hyperbole
   • D) Irony
2. What does Joe Gillis’s narration throughout the film represent?
   • A) Flashback
   • B) Juxtaposition
   • C) Personification
   • D) Motif
3. How does the use of dramatic lighting in Norma’s final scene enhance the film?
   • A) It foreshadows her fate.
   • B) It emphasizes her grandeur.
   • C) It highlights her delusion.
   • D) It contrasts with Joe’s reality.
4. Which theme is highlighted through the relationship between Joe and Norma?
   • A) Ambition and Downfall
   • B) Illusion vs. Reality
   • C) Obsession
   • D) All of the above