Film StyleTranscendentalism is expressed in this scene simply by how Chris is living his life. Through out the entirety of the clip it depicts how simple one’s life
can really be when you take away all of the “stuff” that we have when one lives in society. Chris explains just how simple life is through the quote he says while carving the board. He talks about all of the things he lives without for two years such as pets, cigarettes, or a phone. He mentions how he didn’t need them in order to walk the earth. During this clip is shows no regrets for what he has done. Towards the end of the clip he talks about how giving up all of these things has led to and allowed him to have his freedom. |
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Overall, this clip through its use of concentration of nature and freedom for the individual greatly depicts the core ideas and values of transcendentalism. The camera shows great shots of nature and how it can be so simple and beautiful. What stands out initially in the clip is the bright white snow blanketed on top of the mountains. Sean Penn may be using this landscape to show all the beauty which Chris had experienced. In addition, it shows the simplicity of the clouds that are just floating above actor Chris’ head. The next element shown, is the fire that Chris builds to both clean out the magic bus but also to keep himself warm. As the clip continues the audience is shown the beautiful snow and how that makes Chris’s life both cold and difficult. Furthermore, winter often represents an ending. Therefore, Chris’ two year journey is coming to an end, and once spring comes he will experience a new birth after all of his experiences in the wild. Furthermore, when Chris speaks, he cuts the silence or the music like a knife. This shows how lonely he is, all he has is the “magic bus”. Towards the end of the clip, a dramatic close up on his face shows how emotional he becomes when he sees the sight of the moose heard run past him. He becomes so emotional for many reason. He is stunned because they are beautiful animals, and he is enjoying everything he is seeing on this journey. Another reason could be, because they are the first sign of life he sees. He could even be emotional because it is food. Sean Penn leaves it to interpretation. Another aspect which stands out in the clip is how Sean Penn has shots up close of Chris writing down each day. This represents the transcendental belief that each day should be a different new experience. Each day had a different name, because he did something new every day. Sean Penn expresses transcendental values in this scene through simplicity of Chris’ life, nature, Chris doing something new everyday, and Chris’ reaction to the moose.