The Symbolism Of Hope In The Film, Cast Away

In the film Cast Away, directed by Robert Zemeckis, compulsively prompt FedEx executive Chuck Noland is on his way to Malaysia when his plane crashes over the Pacific Ocean during a storm. The sole survivor of the flight, Chuck washes ashore on a deserted island. When his efforts to sail away and contact help fail, Chuck learns how to survive on the island, where he remains for four years until he manages to escape the island. During the last scene of the film, after Chuck has returned the last remaining unopened FedEx package with the angel wings to its sender, he stops at a crossroads where he encounters a woman who explains where each road leads to. The importance of hope and change are shown through the use of symbols, music, close ups, …show more content…
Wings are used as a central symbol in this scene, to show hope. The wings symbol appear multiple times throughout the scene such as on the package, displayed on the archway to the backyard and statues of wings scattered around the backyard. Wings symbolise desire and leaving things behind and starting anew. They give the effect of Chuck finally letting go of his past that was weighing him down and letting himself be free. The use of crossroads is another symbol in this scene which reveals hope and decisions as a crossroads represents aspects that have similarities to a compass which guides to the target destination, when he walks into the middle of the crossroads and observes different directions. This displays decision and aspiration, as he has hope for his decision that will lead him to a new beginning. To emphasise the idea of desire, the director also uses music that gives off the effect of hopefulness and a fresh start, which is played when he smiles faintly towards the red headed woman’s direction at the crossroad which makes the audience wonder if he is going to start a new life with her. This is because since being on the island, Chuck’s past lifestyle was impacted, he wants to start a new one, which involves new people. The road Chuck smiles towards, is unpaved and a dirt road and seemingly all the other roads are paved. This makes the audience wonder if Chuck is going down the road less travelled because it will be a new journey and that he will go wherever it may lead him. With the effect of music and symbols by associating Chuck with the effect of hope, it emphasises that his decision making and his chance for a new beginning. Demonstrating the symbols of wings and crossroads in this scene emphasises the idea of human nature, that often the most important decision people have to make is letting go of the past and starting new. Chuck responds his chance for a new