In the visual text 'Gattaca' directed by Andrew Niccol, symbolism was key to the projection of a key idea. This key idea is the theme that is 'There is no gene for the human spirit'. This theme is visited several times throughout the theme and is essential to the whole plot of the story. The symbol/symbolism I will be discussing in this essay is the the symbol of swimming.
We first view the symbol in the beginning of the movie. This is when we view Vincent and Anton having a swimming race. By this I mean this is the first revelation of the the symbol of swimming/racing this can be directly linked to the key idea/ theme of 'there is no gene for the human spirit'. This scene/symbol is fundamental for the first portrayal of this theme for the
…show more content…
A voice over from the character Vincent reflecting on this scene describes the situation and the differences from those who are 'valids' and 'invalids'. Techniques used in filming this scene to portray the symbol include that of an birds eye view shot of the two small bodies of the siblings surrounded by the humongous mass of the sea. This can depict two forms of very similar symbolism. One we can depict the swimming and relate this to the key theme of: 'there is no gene for the human spirit' as we can decipher that indeed that it has not fully come it Vincent's attention of this theme, we can tell that he is still dedicated although knowing that genetically Anton is 'perfect' especially in athletic way, Vincent knowing he will always lose to this. Despite this he tries anyway this is were we can first depict the sense of the the key theme. The second idea is we can identify from this is this symbol can also be displayed as (excuse how this is immodest) the race of sperm to fertilise the egg. By this I mean only one sperm can fertilise the egg it is literally a race for the selection of genetics. This is why we can depict that Anton wins the race as he is genetically better then Vincent because of his artificial gene