Truman Show Essay

• Introduction Thesis

  In the postmodern world, many became increasingly concerned with the power of the mass media to blur the lines between reality and fiction, however, the power of the human spirit to seek truth must not be underestimated.
• Introduction Introducing Film

  Through the connections between form and language, Peter Weir in his 1998 dystopian satire film "The Truman Show" shapes our understanding but also enriches our engagement with the films intentional ideas surrounding the increasingly voyeuristic attitudes of society in the emerging digi modern era of the 20th century.
• Introduction to Ideas

  Weir's distinctive postmodern film highlights the power of the media to manipulate individuals and sell an alternative reality for entertainment and profit. Yet the power of the human spirit, an individuals inherent need for truth and freedom, can overcome this simulated reality.
• Paragraph one Thesis

  By the end of the 20th century, composers became increasingly concerned with the power of the mass media to manipulate individuals and reality for monetary gain.
• Paragraph one Quote 1 Intro

  The mass media considers humans as easily manipulated commodities, Christof is utilised as a metonym of the mass media to commodify Truman as a product for personal consumption.
• Paragraph one Quote 1 Scene

  The biblical allusion in the Trutalk interview with Christof, in the opening credit scene, portrays Christof as a self-appointed God-like figure, conveying the secular idea that God might be a puppeteer and we are the blind puppets. Christof has the power to control our lives but not the individual themselves.
• Paragraph one Quote one Analysis

  Through Christof's God-like figure and Weir's use of mis en abyme, Weir effectively manipulates the audience and Truman. Stripping Truman of his identity and commodifying him for Christof's benefit, moreover developing an understanding of the ultimate effect of the mass media.
• Paragraph one Quote two Intro

  In the cocoa bean scene, Weir further enhances Truman as a commodity through the use of product advertisement and placement. Weir uses the character of Meryl to satirically reflect on the increasing disconnection of the postmodern world through its over-reliance on mass media, capitalism and corporate greed.
• Paragraph one Quote two Scene

  Weir employs mis en abyme with the varying camera shots in the ironically advertisable positioning, role of Meryl and dialogue "I will fix you some mococoa". In this scene, Meryl's unnatural advertising spiel is ironically juxtaposed with the seriousness of Truman's conversation about having a child together.
• Paragraph one Quote two Analysis

  Meryl, as a representation of advertising, captures the media's lack of concern over individual wellbeing and only cares for the product being sold. We, as the audience, can understand the power of the mass media and the corporate agenda of product placement and advertising to sell the product of the Truman show, commodifying Truman.
• Paragraph one Quote three Scene

  Weir successfully captures Truman as a commodity for Christof's monetary gain, through the deliberate form and language in the Trutalk scene. The use of mis en abyme, as Sylvia watches Truman on TV, with running advertisements as he drinks the his cocoa, is a key representation of Trumans commodification through mass media.
• Paragraph one Quote three Analysis

  The juxtaposition of Sylvia and Truman to everyone else reiterates the amorality of the show's production, where Truman is a commodity first and foremost. Additionally, the scene further enhances Weir's idea that society is an easily manipulated audience and through the use of Sylvia, is effectively able to truly highlight the power of the mass media.
• Paragraph one Conclusion

  Through the connection between forms, language and ideas, Weir portrays the destructive power of the mass media and its effect on society to commodify individuals.
• Paragraph two Thesis

  The pursuit of truth and freedom in the face of social and political oppression is an intrinsic human desire. Weir explores that ultimately individuals will seek truth, regardless of manipulation by the mass media and capitalism.
• Paragraph two Quote one Scene

  When Truman meets Sylvia, Weir highlights the beginning of Truman's search for freedom and truth, by using Sylvia as the catalyst that raises Truman's existential questions. Weir clearly employs shot reverse shot in the Sylvia and Truman meeting, to emphasise the start of Truman's journey to freedom.
• Paragraph two Quote one Analysis

  The use of the iris lens and close-up of Truman and Sylvia's eyes act as a motif for the eyes, the ultimate truth-tellers and authenticity. Weir is concerned with conveying to the audience how the power of the human spirit and the authentic human connection with the need for truth and freedom can overcome the simulated reality and manipulation created by the mass media.
• Paragraph two Quote two Scene

  Truman's need for freedom and truth is further created through the Flight Centre scene. The ironic poster, 'It Could Happen to You' reveals the lengths of the emotional trauma, through fear and emotion, elements that make us human, Christof and the media are willing to go to.
• Paragraph two Quote two Analysis

  However, Weir illustrates that ultimately humans will still rise above to seek truth and freedom, liberating themselves from repression, physical and psychological. The scene further cuts to the long shot of Truman on an empty bus, reiterating his determination to find freedom and truth. In these pivotal moments, the audience comes to understand that an individual’s seek for answers, freedom and truth can ultimately not be stopped by manipulation from mass media
• Paragraph two Quote three Introduction

  The actualisation of Truman’s plan is revealed through the development from the flight centre scene to the boat in the storm scene. The use of mis en abyme in the dialogue “technical fault please stand by” ultimately breaks the 4th wall. Christof and his team have mismanaged the Truman Show as Truman rebels against his constructed life and begins his search for the truth.
• Paragraph two Quote three Scene

  Truman is no longer under the control of Christof and has taken control of his own life, Christof is unable to use the manipulation of the mass media to control Truman’s search for the truth. This is further embodied in the symbolic mid shot of Truman as captain of his own boat/destiny and the dialogue “That's our hero shot”. The idea of Truman steering the boat is symbolic of how Truman is now the captain of his own ship, he is no longer under the manipulation of Christof.
• Paragraph two Quote three Analysis

  The dialogue further reinforces this as Truman is ultimately seen as a limelight, hero character rather than an authentic, self-driven human. Truman plays on this idea as he bows to the audience, satirising his character and reclaiming himself. Truman is Weir’s representation of how our humanism can overcome manipulation by the postmodern mediascape. We as the audience understand the ultimate power the media has over the manipulation of individuals, however, the need for freedom and the truth can overcome this manipulation and power.
• Paragraph two Conclusion

  Weir, through the relationship between form, language and ideas, effectively portrays this through Truman’s seek for freedom, sparked by meaningful human connection.
• Conclusion

  In Peter Weir’s dystopian film “The Truman Show”, the intricate relationship between ideas, form and language educates the audience on the influence of mass media on society’s perception of reality and individual freedom. Ultimately, Weir highlights the resilience of the human spirit, enhancing the connection for the pursuit of truth and freedom over the manipulation of Christof, a metonym of mass media.