Symbols
Rosebud
"Rosebud," uttered by Charles Foster Kane moments before his death, becomes a central symbol, its meaning remaining deliberately ambiguous throughout the film. This ambiguity allows for multiple interpretations, each offering insights into Kane's character, his motivations, and the complexities of human memory and desire.
One possibility revolves around childhood innocence and loss. The film reveals that "Rosebud" was the name of Kane's beloved childhood sled, taken away from him when he was separated from his mother. This interpretation suggests that Kane yearns for a simpler time, a time before the harsh realities of power, wealth, and ambition took hold. The sled, therefore, becomes a symbol of lost innocence and the longing for a past that can never be retrieved.
Another interpretation connects "Rosebud" to the concept of unfulfilled dreams. Throughout the film, we see Kane pursuing various ambitions, from building a media empire to finding love, but ultimately failing to achieve lasting satisfaction. In this sense, "Rosebud" could represent a specific dream that Kane never realized, perhaps a personal connection or creative pursuit sacrificed along the way. The sled, then, becomes a symbol of unfulfilled potential and the bittersweet realization that life often falls short of our initial aspirations.
Furthermore, "Rosebud" can be interpreted as a symbol of the elusiveness of truth and the limitations of memory. Despite the film's investigation, the true meaning of "Rosebud" remains open to interpretation. Each character's perspective offers glimpses into Kane's life, but their narratives are subjective and often contradictory. This ambiguity highlights the difficulty of capturing a person's life through a single, definitive story.
Xanadu
Xanadu, the sprawling estate, transcends its physical manifestation to become a potent symbol, embodying various themes and complexities intertwined with the life of Charles Foster Kane. Its grandeur and isolation offer a window into his ambitions, anxieties, and ultimately, his profound loneliness.
Xanadu, modeled after Hearst Castle (the residence of William Randolph Hearst), embodies Kane's immense wealth and power. The vastness of the estate, its architectural grandeur, and its extensive collection of art and artifacts showcase his desire for control and dominance. He attempts to curate a world within Xanadu, surrounding himself with objects and possessions that reflect his taste and achievements.
However, this display of power simultaneously reveals a sense of isolation and disconnection. Despite its grandeur, Xanadu appears largely empty. The vastness of the rooms emphasizes the loneliness that resides at its core. Kane surrounds himself with possessions but struggles to forge genuine connections with others. The imposing walls of Xanadu become a metaphor for the emotional barriers he has erected, isolating himself from the world despite his yearning for connection.
The name "Xanadu" holds historical and literary references, alluding to a mythical Shangri-La, a paradise of peace and harmony. This connection suggests that Xanadu represents a lost paradise for Kane. Perhaps it symbolizes his childhood home before his separation from his mother, a time of innocence and security. Alternatively, it might represent the idealistic vision he once held for his life, a dream for happiness and fulfillment that ultimately remains unfulfilled.
The film reinforces this interpretation through the character of Susan Alexander. Initially promised a career and a life of love and collaboration at Xanadu, she eventually finds herself confined and controlled, her artistic aspirations stifled. Her disillusionment reflects the hollowness within Xanadu, a paradise built on wealth and power but lacking genuine connection and emotional warmth.
Xanadu can also be seen as a monument to unfulfilled dreams. Kane amasses wealth and power, but he fails to find happiness or lasting fulfillment. The vastness of the estate serves as a constant reminder of the emptiness he feels within, despite his external achievements. The film shows Xanadu deteriorating over time, mirroring Kane's own decline and the hollowness at the heart of his pursuit of power and possessions.
The Opera House
On the surface, the opera house can be seen as a monument to Kane's power and wealth. Its construction demonstrates his ability to fulfill any desire, even the seemingly outlandish one of creating a grand stage for Susan's operatic aspirations. However, this gesture also reveals a sense of control and manipulation. Kane builds the opera house not solely out of love and support, but also with the intention of shaping Susan's career and public image according to his vision.
The opera house's physical characteristics further reinforce its symbolic significance. Its extravagant design and immense scale dwarf Susan, highlighting the power imbalance between her and Kane. Additionally, the lack of audience during her performance emphasizes her isolation and the artificiality of the entire endeavor. Susan's failure to succeed in opera, despite Kane's efforts, showcases the limitations of his power and control. He can build the stage, but he cannot guarantee her success or dictate her artistic path.
The opera house also becomes a symbol of lost love and unfulfilled dreams. Initially, it represents Kane's attempt to woo Susan and fulfill her artistic aspirations. However, their relationship deteriorates, and the opera house becomes a physical manifestation of their broken dreams. Susan's artistic ambitions are stifled, and the empty seats symbolize the hollowness of Kane's gesture and the failure of their love story.
The “Declaration of Principles”
The "Declaration of Principles," published by Charles Foster Kane upon acquiring the New York Inquirer, becomes a multifaceted symbol, reflecting his initial idealism, his gradual descent into power-hungry distortion, and the eventual vacuity of his ambitions.
Initially, the declaration embodies Kane's youthful idealism and commitment to social responsibility. It outlines his vision for the newspaper as a champion of the people, fighting for justice and truth. This aligns with Kane's early portrayal as a passionate and idealistic young man. However, the document's lofty promises are quickly juxtaposed with the film's later revelation of Kane's increasingly manipulative and self-serving use of the newspaper.
As Kane's priorities shift, the "Declaration of Principles" becomes a symbol of hypocrisy and the corruption of power. The newspaper, initially envisioned as a tool for social good, ironically becomes a weapon used to advance Kane's own agenda. He manipulates the news to serve his personal interests and silence dissent, betraying the very principles he once championed.
Furthermore, the "Declaration of Principles" can be seen as a symbol of lost innocence and disillusionment. The document serves as a reminder of Kane's initial noble intentions, highlighting the stark contrast between his youthful idealism and the cynical, power-hungry individual he becomes. The burning of the declaration in the fireplace at Xanadu during the film's closing sequence signifies this transformation.
Finally, the "Declaration of Principles" also carries a sense of irony and tragedy. It represents Kane's lost potential and the failure to live up to his once-held ideals. Despite his initial aspirations, he ultimately succumbs to the temptations of power, sacrificing his integrity and leaving a legacy of manipulation and self-destruction.
