Pan's Labyrinth Themes

“Imagination is everything. It’s the preview of life’s coming attractions.” Albert Einstein’s philosophical words are so simple, yet it is difficult to comprehend the true power being referred to. Imagination has certain, incomparable advantages for all people. Holding several psychological and physiological benefits, the tiniest fabrication can yield substantial improvement to a person’s mind. Indeed, imagination allows people to shatter the mental barriers set by society and realize some strongly held conceptions, like race and gender stereotypes, should have absolutely no real weight. Imagination also allows an individual escape from hardship, permitting one to ease into a more amiable state of mind. The film Pan’s Labyrinth, directed by Guillermo del Toro, uses several literary and directing techniques that accentuate values of imagination. Although difficult to objectively declare the fantastical elements in the movie are real, del …show more content…
For instance, Captain Vidal cannot see the faun Ofelia talks to at the climax of the movie. This creates a sense that the fantastical creates do not exist in mature eyes, but only in childlike, imaginative eyes. Furthermore, Ofelia’s “fairies” were seen as flying insects to other people, including the audience initially. Moreover, the Pale Man is argued to be Ofelia’s interpretation of her monstrous step-father. Both character’s dining rooms were set up the same way with a long table, seating both at the head. Both monsters have plentiful feast compared to those around them, yet occupy themselves with slaughter instead of their treasures. All the parallels between the Pale Man and Captain Vidal contribute to the claim that the fantastical creatures were only a young child’s interpretation of her disturbing