In Lars von
Trier's Melancholia
(2011) there are two scenes of the sisters riding their horses. Both end with
Justine's (Kirsten Dunst) horse Abraham refusing to cross a small bridge. In the second
instance this is even despite Justine's frustrated beating of the
horse.
Later, as Melancholia is about to arrive, Claire
(Charlotte Gainsbourg) attempts to drive her and her son away from the mansion in a golf
cart, which breaks down at the same bridge.
Is there any
symbolism behind this? Is it a representation of how the sisters--or anyone for that
matter--cannot escape their fate brought about by Melancholia? Is it symbolic of the
isolation Justine feels? Or is it just von Trier restricting the setting to the mansion?
(I remember him doing similar in
Answer
OK -
just wanted to be brief with previous reply. I've re-posted my forum post here with a
few mods to fix one error and supply context that was missing without prior
threads:
Analysis of Justine's
story
Synopsis:
a bride and
groom at their wedding reception in an exquisite setting. A pressured and confused bride
makes what appears to be a devastatingly bad decision. Finally the dissolution of the
marriage.
Does this story sound
familiar?
Here are some
hints:
- In what literature do we find
chapters bearing single word titles (many of those being first
names)? - In what literature do we have a story that
describes the beginning of the world but (arguably) not its
end?
Answer: I am suggesting that
LVT has patterned Melancholia after Judea-Christian scripture (e.g. The
Bible).
Additional themes to support this analysis
(character/name
analysis):
Justine is from
the Latin just or fair. As pointed out in analysis found elsewhere (and even Lars
himself may have suggested this), her name is possibly a reference to Novel of same name
by Marquis de Sade in which Justine is struck down by a bolt from God. Recall the scenes
with lightening emanating from Justine's fingers. While he may have taken her name from
this character and found inspiration there, I do think that Justine is also patterned
after Eve from Genesis. Her clairvoyance - she describes to Claire as always knowing
things - possibly a reference to her having eaten from the Tree of Knowledge leading to
banishment from Eden. Her confusion during the reception - repeatedly seeking guidance
from Mom & Dad. Her apparent estrangement with her husband (how would it be to one
day wake up and realize - you've been created to be someone's bride?) I think as the
mother of mankind, she may also be seen here to be representative of mankind, and of
course she also represents the planet
Melancholia.Michael (Justine's
husband) is a name that comes from the Hebrew meaning "who is like God". I believe
Michael is patterned after Adam from Genesis. The obvious symbolism supporting this is
the photo of the Apple orchard he gives to Justine at the reception which, of course is
not well received. Also, he's portrayed as a simple
man.Gaby (Justine & Claire's
mother) is the Archangel (Gabriel) or God's messenger or possibly God herself (as
depicted in feminine). Her demeanor and dialog could come right from Old Testament fire
and brimstone - "enjoy it while it lasts" and telling Justine when her counsel is sought
to grow up and that she should be afraid. Also her shirt shows a spiral with an arrow
pointing inward - not sure if there is a traditional meaning to this symbol but it could
be describing the path of planet Melancholia on its approach to earth. Realistically,
this path is the only way that a planet could remain hidden, as described, behind the
sun; if it were synchronized on an orbital plane with and 180 degrees opposite that of
earth and spiraling towards us. There is also a shot of Gaby the morning after the
reception basking in the morning light and posing prayer-like. Oh yeah, and her husband
- brace yourselves …Dexter (Justine
& Claire's father) from the Latin meaning on the right side - yup, Jesus Christ. Not
a very flattering portrayal. As people have pointed out - Lars does enjoy poking sticks
now and then. Other than the name and relationship to Gaby, we have the two Betty's.
It's my understanding that Lars converted to Catholicism for a time as an adult. Here's
a question for you all: for people who are not raised Christian, what would you say are
the biggest obstacles to their acceptance of the religion? In other words, if you had to
make a list of the things Christians accept on faith, what two would be at the top of
the list? Mine would be resurrection and virgin birth - Betty 1 and Betty 2? The scene
with Little Father where Dexter removes the spoons may be a reference to miracles. All
the guests see the deception but Little Father continues to serve obediently without
questioning …Little Father of course
there's the name, and the two key scenes - as mentioned the spoons and then later when
he returns Gaby's belongings to the estate after John tosses them out the door. I
believe Little Father is a composite meant to represent those of faith
…John (Claire's husband), John is
among most common names given in anglo countries. John is introduced to us as the smart
one. He confidently identifies Melancholia to Justine as (I think it was) Antares. Point
is, he was wrong. He again points out to Justine that the golf course has 18 holes and
we later see a 19th green - wrong again! He also asserts that Melancholia will just fly
right by - three strikes and you're out! John is another composite - possibly
representing modern man who has replaced belief in God with science. The dialog of John
is telling and this character is (IMO) some of Lars' best work here. John repeatedly
uses the term "unbelievable" when referring to Gaby. He also tries to eject Gaby from
the proceedings as he's apparently attempted to do on other
occasions.Jack from the Hebrew
equivalent Yaakov meaning he who supplants. Money, Money, Money. Bad, bad, fellow. You
can guess his role.Tim, didn't feel
the need to research name - hired by bad man (Jack) to shadow Justine, told that he must
be there for the "birth" of the tag line. Adulterer with Justine but, apparently does
not get what he was hired to do. Kinda like the
serpent?Claire the nickname for her
used by Justine was Clay. This is in-line with the notion that her character represents
Earth. Her role is also one of mother and caretaker to Justine (Mother
Earth).Leo (Acronym for Low Earth
Orbit) - the moon. Claire's son. An only
son.Abraham (stallion), beast of
nobility, of same name as Abraham from Genesis. God makes covenant to give Abraham land.
Why does Abraham refuse to cross bridge or leave estate when freed by Claire (see
below)?Estate grounds - possibly Eden
- probably symbolic of holy land. Bridge represents passage from Eden into man's world
(Sodom and Gomorrah?) Explains Abraham's behavior. Additional scenes to support Holy
Land theory - quick scene during prologue showing burning bush on estate grounds; the
scene with limousine may be a reference to Matthew 7:14 which translates to roughly
"but the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a
few ever find it."Golf
course - probably some of the most beautiful places on earth that are the work of man
are found on golf courses. Possibly meant to represent man's failed attempt at attaining
perfection (19th green). Justine is seen urinating on golf course and later commits
adultery with Tim in of all places a sand hazard - possibly an injection of humor from
LVT?
If you're interested
in an interpretation of Claire's story that follows from his, I'll add more later if
asked.
Edit:
I forgot to
address your question about the golf cart dying before the bridge. This is likely
symbolic of the impotence of science/technology to save Claire & Leo (who are Earth
and Moon personified) from their fated encounter with Melancholia. In the end scene, we
have only the 3 celestial actors (Earth, Moon, & Melancholia = Claire, Leo, Justine)
to play out the final drama echoing Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning, God created
the heavens and the earth."
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