Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Snowpiercer's Meaning of the Arm
During class, we have talked about arms and it's meaning. Almost everyone has sacrificed their arm expect for Curtis. Also Gilliam have talked about having both arms and how useful it is. Curtis has scares from wanting to cut his arm off but he never brought himself to do it. But in the end, he has sacrificed his arm to save Timmy. Wildford also talked about how Curtis has a destiny but he would never have thought that it was to destroy the train. He has tried to in a way brainwash Curtis and it did not work out.
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If the population-control plot that Wildford told Curtis is true, Gilliam is another secret regulator on the train. Gilliam disguised himself in the tail section by sacrificing his arm and gives the tail section passengers faith and leadership. He is intended to cut his arm in front of Curtis and root revenge in him. But when the revolution goes on, Gilliam won't have any contribution to the slaughter and he was killed.
ReplyDeleteThe characters who can push forward the whole development of the story are the ones who have their arms. The reason why Curtis has both his arm is that he should be the leader from the tail to bring his fellows to be killed. And I figured Namgoong Minsu is also the secret regulator who leads them from section to section. He had done the same thing therefore he could recognize the melting snow on the airplane under the New Year Bridge.
If the train did not crashed at the end, Curtis would be transformed into another Gilliam and he will be another single-arm man to be sent back to the tail section to plot another revolution. But he is still the chess on the train, he will be the one who sends people to fight and die. If the train did not crashed, the life circle of born and death will keep rolling on this snowpiercer.
Wow, I love the way Mai's contemplation on the arm turned into a deeper contemplation. Yes, you are both right: it's a very symbolic piece in the film. Losing an arm, in a way, becomes sacramental. It's like an initiation one most go through to get to a higher realm of being. And yes, as Alice says, it is used devisively by Gilliam.
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