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Symbolism In Gattaca

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The 1997 film Gattaca, is a striking, thought provoking film that challenges the human perception of discrimination, identity and morality. The film is set in the “not too distant future” and follows a less-than-perfect man that has wanted to become an astronaut ever since he was a young boy. However, unfortunately for Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), society has cast him aside as “invalid” due to his genetic make up. Vincent decides to assume the identity of Jerome Morrow (Jude Law), a perfect genetic specimen who is a paraplegic due to a car crash. The film follows Vincent in his final week at Gattaca, and the everyday struggles he has to endure in order to keep up the genetic charade that is his life.

One of the aspects that makes Gattaca …show more content…

The very first scene of the movie is a series of extreme close-ups of Skin, Nails and Hair. These immediately foreshadow the film’s exploration of scientific ideas, and the society's obsession with DNA and genetic material. The camera then pans to an extreme close-up of Vincent shaving his face and a shot of Vincent scrubbing skin off himself with a coarse brush. This image of Vincent scrubbing himself is a frequent occurrence in the film, and are a representation of Vincent’s inferiority and in-valid DNA. Through these intense images of small, genetic particles, the film challenges the notion that humanity is determined by its DNA. Rather than portraying individuals as a sum of their collective parts, Gattaca shows that it is determination and drive, rather than genetic standing, that makes an individual great. The names of the characters are another way symbolism is used in the film. Vincent’s name is drawn from the latin verb “Vincere” - which means to conquer and win, something Vincent shows he can do throughout the film despite his inferior Genes. His last name “Freeman” also hints to his triumph against adversity, as Freeman was the title given to slaves who became emancipated through their achievements. Jerome’s name is also significant as it represents science and the future, his name alludes to “Genome”, the genetic material of an organism. His middle name,

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