Symbolism In Pan's Labyrinth

Rebirth: a period of new life, growth or of finding your true self. Everyone strives for growth in their lives and a sense of knowing who you are and what you want. The movie, Pan’s Labyrinth, created by Guillermo Del Toro, is deeply rooted with the idea of rebirth and resurrection. This concept is best illustrated through one of the monsters in the movie - the giant toad. Although there are many monsters in this movie and all do connect to the idea of rebirth, the giant toad holds the most symbolism and meaning behind it. The giant toad is a monster that lives in a tree in the middle of the forest and is the first monster that Ofelia must defeat throughout her journey in the movie. Through its location and appearance, the giant toad and the

The shape and appearance of the tree that the toad thrives in has great similarities with that of the womb. The overall shape of the tree with its two arching branches on either side is very close in shape to the fallopian tubes. Furthermore, the act of Ofelia crawling into the tree can correlate with her longing to go back to her mother’s womb and be a fetus again to escape the harsh real world with Captain Vidal. However, when Ofelia does defeat the toad in the toad and comes out of the tree, this can signify the rebirth and growth of Ofelia. As obtaining the key from the toad was the first step in Ofelia’s journey, her completion of it and the will she had to do it demonstrates how she was essentially ‘reborn’ as a stronger and more determined girl. Furthermore, the toad and tree are very much correlated with Ofelia’s mother and her unborn son. Just like the toad with the tree, Ofelia’s younger brother is harming her mother - threatening her health severely. This connection between Ofelia’s fantasy world and the real world reveals how although Ofelia is trying to escape the real world and is on her journey of rebirth, there will always be a link between her new self and her old