You know what it is about symbolism, and that is you can read anything into something else, and make something ordinary and mundane look to have some sort of extraordinary, profound, and deep intellectual meaning.
For example; the thunder heard at the beginning of the opening sequence. That could easily be said to symbolise the warning of authority. In other words, don't do what you are about to do, it will only lead you on the road to your own ruination.
No.6, according to that daily activities report, climbs the Bell Tower
And the Village? Well existing as a potential foundation to something greater. The Village you might imagine as being remarkably like London
BCNU
I know it isn't one of your favourites, David, but I wouldn't disdain the symbolism evident in The Prisoner all too quickly. After all it is what sets The Prisoner apart from the huge mass of serialised TV products, even today as we are well aware. Most likely, after 40 years, nobody would remember a series about an agent trapped somewhere and trying to get out of his prison if that prison was nothing more than your local penal institution. Also the story of Robinson Cruseo isn't a plain lesson of how to survive shipwreck. It's a symbolised existential tale. Why are there dark clouds, why thunder? They shot that scene, didn't they. It wasn't just a pick of stock footage because somebody with an aversion against sunlight chose it. It's the general tone, the mood that is set in those first seconds of the series. Something wicked this way comes. Let me put it that way.
ReplyDeleteThe Village as such most certainly is the (symbolic) representation of something that is still open to debate. A mental thing, an institution, the way of living etc.pp. Clearly, climbing the Bell Tower has a lot to do with getting the whole picture or the scene. On the other hand, not any factual thing must inevitably symbolise something. That much realism is certainly required by the viewers. - BNCU!
Hello Arno,
DeleteIt was not my intention to treat symbolism in 'the Prisoner' disdainfully, and I didn't think I had done that. Symbolism is prevalent throughout 'the Prisoner.' But there has to be an element of realism within the series. To my eyes, when No.6 daily climbs the Bell Tower, he's actually keeping a lookout for signs from his world, a ship on the horizon, an aircraft, something from his world.
It has been my experience in the past, that fans of 'the Prisoner' have put deep meanings on the most ordinary and mundane occurances. Such as seeing the Prisoner as rebelling in the opening sequence by entering a building via the way out. That is one example some people see as symbolism. But what is actually taking place is, the Prisoner is simply leaving the underground car park via the way out! Symbolism in 'the Prisoner' is fine, and I am by no means against it, but it must be kept in some proportion.
Very kind regards
David
BCNU
Hello David,
ReplyDeleteone could also look at it this way:
Every "Look" provokes a WHY, and every why wants an answer. Every answer is a prison, but in case of allegoric or symbolic issues at least those are prisons with many rooms. ;)
Very kind regards,
Jana
BCNU
Hello Jana,
DeleteThat's very good, and I understand what you are saying. But as Morag just said, a number of fans turned the scene in the opening sequence when the Prisoner bursts through the "Way-Out" doors on his way to hand in his resignation, on it's head. They have the Prisoner going in, instead of busrting out. The Prisoner is not showing two fingers to authority, he's angry, he's going to tell them exactly what he thinks of them. He's going to slam down that letter of resignation with force. So when fans see the Prisoner as being rebellious by entering a building via the "Way-Out," thay take all that away, they lose the whole point of the scene. That's what I mean.
Very kind regards
David
BCNU
Hello David,
Deleteyes, I think I know what you mean. There's a danger to pin the series down to certain interpretations, sometimes even interpretations that are far away from the shown images or the manifest contents. And that's a pity, if it happens.
As for the scene showing the Way Out, I like the irony in it, that for Number 6 his Way Out, his resignation, the outburst of his anger, or the attempt to get out, is actually an important part of his way in, to the village, in a way. But I'm not sure if it was intended that the door should symbolize this. And I don't think that this is the only possible interpretation. I'd like to think that it's more like a coincidence.
Very kind regards,
Jana
BCNU
Hello Jana,
DeleteNo matter how much I might say I like your way Out meaning the prisoners resignation, and his way in to the Village. For me, anything like that takes away the realism of the situation. And however much one likes to interpret, and see the symbolism in 'the Prisoner,' there must surely be realism as well. And that's the point I was trying to make. It's the same when the Prisoner is carrying his saddle in 'Living In Harmony,' many fans have symbolised this as Christ carrying his his cross to his crucifixtion, which I see as taking synbolism in 'the Prisoner' to extremes! I see an American carrying his saddle because he's lost his horse for whatever reason, until he can get another horse. The saddle being his most expensive possession. Realism you see, there are times when it's more preferable to symbolism.
Kind regards
David
BCNU
Hello David,
Deletethat's a fair point... but can't realism and symbolism exist next to each other? It's difficult if they are contradictory, yes. Nut on the other hand sometimes they even seem to complete each other, in my opinion.
But I agree, it's a good thing to bring realism back into interpretation, to get back on the path.
Kind regards,
Jana
Be seeing you
Hello Jana,
DeleteYes of course symbolism can live nextdoor to realism, just as long as symbolism isn't allowed to take anything from realism. With symbolism one can turn any situation into something else, and in doing that there will be times when doing that takes one away from the actual realism of the situation.
Kind regards
David
BCNU