General Essay Examples

Citizen Kane Film Analysis

This example provides a deep dive into Orson Welles' seminal film, Citizen Kane. It moves beyond simple plot summary to dissect the film's revolutionary narrative structure, its exploration of power, memory, and the American Dream, and its groundbreaking cinematography. The analysis highlights how Welles utilized innovative techniques to create a complex portrait of Charles Foster Kane, offering students a model for critical film interpretation. It covers thematic elements, structural choices, and stylistic devices, serving as a robust guide for crafting your own film essays.

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Key considerations

A strong film analysis connects formal elements (structure, cinematography) to thematic content.

Non-linear or fragmented narratives often serve thematic purposes, such as exploring memory or subjectivity.

Cinematic techniques like deep focus are not just aesthetic choices but tools for conveying meaning and emotion.

Interpreting symbols and ambiguous endings requires careful consideration of the film's overall message and construction.

Assignment brief

Write a critical analysis of Orson Welles' Citizen Kane (1941). Your essay should examine the film's narrative structure, its thematic concerns (such as power, corruption, and the elusive nature of truth), and its significant contributions to cinematic technique. Consider how these elements work together to create a compelling portrait of Charles Foster Kane. You should support your arguments with specific examples from the film.

Reference example

Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane (1941) remains a touchstone in cinematic history, not merely for its narrative ambition but for its radical departure from conventional filmmaking. The film’s enduring power lies in its intricate structure, which mirrors the fragmented and ultimately unknowable nature of its protagonist, Charles Foster Kane. Rather than presenting a linear biography, Welles employs a non-chronological, mosaic-like approach, piecing together Kane’s life through the recollections of those who knew him, each perspective offering a partial, often contradictory, glimpse into the man. This structural choice is not merely an aesthetic flourish; it is fundamental to the film’s central thematic inquiry: the elusiveness of truth and the impossibility of fully comprehending a human life.

The narrative is framed by the investigation of reporter Jerry Thompson, tasked with uncovering the meaning of Kane’s dying word, “Rosebud.” Thompson’s quest becomes the audience’s surrogate, guiding us through a series of flashbacks that reconstruct Kane’s rise from humble beginnings to immense wealth and influence. We see his idealistic youth, his meteoric ascent as a newspaper magnate, his disastrous foray into politics, his opulent but loveless marriages, and his lonely decline in the cavernous Xanadu. Each flashback is presented through the subjective lens of a different narrator—Thatcher, Bernstein, Leland, Susan Alexander Kane, and Raymond—and each narrator’s memory is colored by their personal relationship with Kane, their own biases, and the passage of time. This creates a rich tapestry of interpretations, demonstrating that a single, definitive understanding of Kane is unattainable.

Beyond its structural innovation, Citizen Kane is a profound exploration of power, wealth, and the corruption of ideals. Kane begins with a genuine desire to serve the public interest, as embodied by his newspaper, The Inquirer. However, his immense wealth and the intoxicating nature of control gradually warp his intentions. He becomes less interested in informing the public than in dictating their thoughts, transforming his media empire into a tool for personal aggrandizement and a means to impose his will. The film critiques the hollowness of unchecked ambition, showing how Kane’s relentless pursuit of power ultimately isolates him, leaving him surrounded by possessions but devoid of genuine human connection. His vast estate, Xanadu, becomes a physical manifestation of his internal emptiness, a monument to his accumulated wealth and lost humanity.

Cinematically, the film was revolutionary. Welles, working with cinematographer Gregg Toland, pioneered deep-focus photography, allowing multiple planes of action within a single shot to remain in sharp focus. This technique not only created visually stunning compositions but also allowed for complex staging and thematic resonance. For instance, in scenes depicting Kane’s strained relationship with his second wife, Susan, deep focus can simultaneously emphasize their physical proximity and emotional distance, with Kane dominating the foreground while Susan appears small and isolated in the background. The use of low-angle shots, dramatic chiaroscuro lighting, and innovative sound design further contributed to the film’s distinctive and influential aesthetic. These technical achievements were not mere stylistic choices; they were integral to conveying the film’s thematic concerns, enhancing the sense of mystery, grandeur, and psychological depth.

The ultimate revelation of “Rosebud” as the name of Kane’s childhood sled is deliberately anticlimactic, a poignant symbol of lost innocence and the simple joys that wealth and power could never replace. It suggests that the key to understanding Kane lies not in his public achievements or his vast fortune, but in the fundamental human longing for connection and belonging that was severed early in his life. The film does not offer a simple solution or a neat moral lesson. Instead, it leaves the audience with a profound sense of ambiguity, reflecting the complexity of human nature and the enduring mystery of what truly defines a life. Citizen Kane, therefore, stands as a testament to the power of cinema to explore profound psychological and philosophical questions through its unique formal and narrative capabilities.

Analysis of Citizen Kane: Structure, Themes, and Cinematography

This section breaks down the analytical components of the provided essay on Orson Welles' Citizen Kane, offering insights into its construction and effectiveness as a piece of film criticism. Understanding these elements can help students approach their own analytical writing with greater clarity and purpose.

1. Narrative Structure: The Mosaic of Memory

The essay correctly identifies the non-linear, fragmented narrative as a core element of Citizen Kane. It explains why this structure is significant, linking it directly to the film's thematic exploration of the elusive nature of truth and the difficulty of fully knowing a person. The analysis points out that the structure isn't just a stylistic choice but a deliberate mirroring of the film's central ideas. The mention of 'mosaic-like approach' and 'subjective lens of a different narrator' provides concrete descriptions of the technique. This demonstrates a sophisticated understanding beyond simply stating that the film uses flashbacks.

2. Thematic Concerns: Power, Corruption, and Isolation

The analysis effectively outlines the key themes of the film: the corrupting influence of power and wealth, the loss of idealism, and the resulting isolation. It traces Kane's trajectory from an idealistic youth to a lonely magnate, highlighting the transformation and its consequences. The essay connects these themes to specific aspects of the film, such as Kane's newspaper empire and his vast estate, Xanadu, serving as physical metaphors for his internal state. The critique of unchecked ambition is clearly articulated, showing how Kane's pursuit of control leads to his downfall, not in a material sense, but in a profound human one.

3. Cinematic Innovation: Deep Focus and Visual Storytelling

The essay acknowledges the film's groundbreaking cinematography, specifically mentioning deep-focus photography and its impact. It explains how this technique, pioneered by Gregg Toland, wasn't just visually impressive but served narrative and thematic purposes. The example of deep focus highlighting the emotional distance between Kane and Susan within the same frame is a strong illustration of this point. The mention of low-angle shots and chiaroscuro lighting further demonstrates an awareness of the film's visual language and how it contributes to the overall mood and meaning. This section shows an understanding that film analysis involves examining how the story is told, not just what the story is.

4. The 'Rosebud' Revelation: Symbolism and Ambiguity

The analysis correctly interprets the 'Rosebud' revelation not as a simple plot resolution, but as a symbolic device. It highlights the anticlimax and its significance in pointing towards lost innocence and the unrecoverable past. The essay emphasizes that the film doesn't offer easy answers but embraces ambiguity, which is crucial for understanding Welles' complex portrayal of Kane. This thoughtful interpretation moves beyond surface-level plot points to engage with the film's deeper philosophical implications about memory, identity, and the human condition.

5. Tone and Voice

The tone of the essay is appropriately academic and analytical. It maintains a formal yet accessible voice, avoiding overly casual language or jargon. The author presents arguments confidently, supported by references to the film's content and techniques. The use of phrases like 'remains a touchstone,' 'enduring power lies in,' and 'profound exploration' establishes a serious and critical perspective. The essay avoids making definitive pronouncements where ambiguity is key, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the subject matter.

6. Revision Opportunities: Deepening Specificity

While the essay is strong, further revision could enhance its impact. For instance, while 'Rosebud' is discussed as symbolic, a more detailed exploration of how it specifically relates to Kane's character arc and the other narrative threads could be beneficial. Similarly, providing more direct quotes from the film or specific scene descriptions could strengthen the connection between claims and evidence. For example, instead of just mentioning the strained relationship between Kane and Susan, describing a particular scene where deep focus is used to illustrate this could be more powerful. Expanding on the specific contributions of other crew members (e.g., editor Robert Wise) could also add depth. Finally, a more explicit thesis statement at the beginning, clearly outlining the essay's main argument about the interplay of structure, theme, and technique, would further refine its focus.

Example of Specific Scene Analysis

Consider the famous breakfast table sequence, where Kane's marriage to Susan Alexander disintegrates over a series of meals. Welles and Toland employ deep focus to capture the growing chasm between them. In one shot, Kane sits at one end of a long table, engrossed in his newspaper, while Susan, at the opposite end, attempts to engage him. The vast expanse of the table, rendered in sharp detail, visually represents their emotional distance. As the scene progresses, the camera often frames them with significant empty space between them, emphasizing their isolation within their opulent surroundings. This visual storytelling, using the very mechanics of the camera and composition, powerfully communicates the breakdown of their relationship far more effectively than dialogue alone could achieve.

Does the analysis go beyond plot summary to explore meaning?
Are specific film techniques (cinematography, editing, narrative structure) discussed?
Are thematic elements clearly identified and supported with evidence?
Is the connection between technique and theme explicitly made?
Is the tone academic and the language precise?
Does the analysis offer an interpretation rather than just description?

FAQs

What makes Citizen Kane's narrative structure so unique?

Citizen Kane's narrative structure is unique because it abandons a linear, chronological approach. Instead, it uses a fragmented, mosaic-like structure, presenting Charles Foster Kane's life through multiple, often contradictory, flashbacks told by different characters. This non-linear storytelling mirrors the film's central theme: the difficulty of fully understanding a complex individual and the subjective nature of truth and memory.

How does the film's cinematography contribute to its themes?

The cinematography, particularly the use of deep-focus photography pioneered by Gregg Toland, plays a crucial role. Deep focus allows multiple planes of action within a single shot to be in sharp focus simultaneously. This technique is used thematically to emphasize relationships (or lack thereof), power dynamics, and the vastness of Kane's world, often highlighting characters' isolation within opulent settings. Low-angle shots and dramatic lighting also contribute to the film's imposing and sometimes unsettling atmosphere, reflecting Kane's larger-than-life persona and internal struggles.

What is the significance of 'Rosebud' in Citizen Kane?

The dying word 'Rosebud' is revealed to be the name of Charles Foster Kane's childhood sled. Its significance lies not in providing a simple answer to who Kane was, but in symbolizing his lost innocence and the simple, uncorrupted happiness that wealth and power could never recapture. The film deliberately makes the revelation anticlimactic, suggesting that the true essence of a person cannot be reduced to a single object or memory, and that the past profoundly shapes, yet remains ultimately elusive.

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