Scenes From a Marriage Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

Scenes From a Marriage Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

I Got My Shot

We see the photographer from the magazine take a posed picture of Marianne and Johan, and as soon as he gets it Marianne promptly removes Johan's arm from around her waist. This is a symbol that she is not fond of his physical intimacy.

Contract

Johan calls his marriage a contract when speaking to the reporter. This is a symbol of his belief that their marriage is a legal agreement, not a marriage of love.

Button

Marianne touches and holds a button on her blouse when speaking about her child she lost when she was 19 years old. This is a symbol that the loss had a deep meaning that effects her to this day.

Burn it Down

Katarina's cigarette while fighting with her husband, Peter is halfway burnt through with the ash still hanging on. She is telling her husband that she is physically repulsed by him. The cigarette is a symbol of their marriage burning down right before them.

Red

We see Johan and Marianne cleaning up in their kitchen after a long night with Katarina and Peter. The wall tiles are red and the table's lampshade is red. The color red is a symbol that though they believe their marriage to be of the highest order, it is in serious trouble by what is not being said.

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