In regards to Citizen Kane, with the critical analysis question being "Discuss the idea(s) developed by the director(s) regarding the significance of an individual’s perspective"
and my answer being
“In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure dome decree—” In the 1900’s, present day for Mr. Kane, he lives in almost as legendary, Florida’s Xanadu, “world’s largest private pleasure ground.” On the deserts of the Gulf Coast consists, “one hundred thousand trees, twenty thousand tons of marble – a collection of everything so big it can never be catalogued or appraised, enough for ten museums – the loot of the world; -- the fowl of the air, the fish of the sea, the beast of the field and jungle.” In Citizen Kane, Orson Welles develops the idea that a person’s perspective about what is most important in life may be affected by their hierarchy power achieved through wealth and history. Charles Foster Kane’s character demonstrates compensation in the present for pains of the past in such a way he sets himself up for his own demise. Mr. Kane was, “a man who got everything,” and at the same time had nothing. His state of mind as a result may have lead one to be consumed by themselves and ultimately, be left with nothing. “Twice married, twice divorced,” Hearst had anything and everything a person could come up with, and quite literally lived the American dream.
What are three good sturdy separate ideas I can use to write about in my 3 paragraphs?
Based on the excerpt provided, here are three separate ideas you can use to write about in your three paragraphs:
1. The emphasis on wealth and material possessions: In Citizen Kane, the director develops the idea that a person's perspective can be influenced by their accumulation of wealth and material possessions. Charles Foster Kane, with his vast fortune and extravagant lifestyle, is portrayed as someone who equates his success and happiness with his possessions. This can be seen through his creation of Xanadu, a lavish estate filled with countless treasures. Discuss how Kane's perspective is shaped by his obsession with material wealth and the implications it has on his life and relationships.
2. The impact of past experiences on one's perspective: Another idea developed by the director in Citizen Kane is the significance of an individual's perspective being shaped by their past experiences. Kane's character demonstrates this through his relentless pursuit of power and success, which is driven by a desire to compensate for the pain and loss he suffered in his childhood. Explore how Kane's traumatic childhood and abandonment by his parents influence his perspective, leading him to prioritize ambition and control, ultimately leading to his isolation and emptiness.
3. The illusion of the American Dream: Citizen Kane also delves into the idea that a person's perspective can be distorted by their pursuit of the American Dream. Kane, like many others, believes that acquiring wealth, status, and influence will bring him ultimate happiness and fulfillment. However, the film suggests that this pursuit is an illusion, as Kane's relentless pursuit of power and possessions only leads to his own downfall and unhappiness. Examine how the film critiques the hollow nature of the American Dream and its impact on an individual's perspective.
Remember to support each idea with specific examples and evidence from the film to provide a comprehensive and well-rounded analysis of the significance of an individual's perspective in Citizen Kane.