Task #3: The Hours

The Hours is a movie about living the life that you want, instead of the one you are told to live. In the movie, three different women from three different time periods are shown having one particular thing in common. That is their yearning to be excepted as they truly are with out any confusion. The director brilliantly portrayed these women and their experiences by using a lot of hidden messages. In the movie's trailer and in the morning passage musical score, the symbols here are apparent in every way.
A very common symbol in the trailer and in the passage is the constant presence of flowers. Flowers are traditionally purchased by men and are given to the women. In the movie one woman from the 20's writes in her book" Ms. Dollaway says she will buy the flowers herself". This was a fantasy for the woman for she knew she would never be able to go out and purchase her own flowers. The other woman from the 50's receives flowers from her husband on his own birthday. The one from the more current era goes out and buys the flowers her self. The flowers appearance in the different eras helps paint a picture of how women were treated in that particular time period, each symbolizing the freedom they want or the freedom they have.
In another scene from The Hours, the women from the 20's who's name is Virginia Wolfe tries to run away from her life. She does not ask for permission and goes immediately to train station. Her husband chases after her frantically, in panic that she might be leaving forever. This is the classic symbol of the "Hero" trying to save a "damsel in distress". When the scene flashes forward to the current era , the roles are switched. Ms. Dollaway's old love affair is dying. She is trying to save him from his distress. This also shows how even when the roles are changed, some one is always trying to save somebody elses life.
Lastly, the appearance of children through out the film is a major symbol. In the 50's era the woman has a child who she is constantly left to take care of. Most mothers find joy in taking care of a beloved child but not this mother. Not that she did not love her child, but it constantly reminded her of the burden that she had taken on becoming a 50's house wife. Her child had done nothing wrong, he was the symbol of innocence. His innocence was taken from him when he saw his mother kiss another women. Eventually the mother took off for good, leaving her children and their innocence behind.