Get Out Symbolism & Film Techniques 2023

Questions and Answers

How are camera angles used in the basement scene?

The filming feels threatening because Chris looks small and insignificant due to the high angle camera shot, and the close-ups reveal his fear.

How are camera angles used to show guilt when Chris is talking about his mum?

Close-up shots showcase Chris's discomfort and body language when discussing his mother.

How is sound/music used in the hypnotizing scene?

Non-diegetic piano music foreshadows the hypnosis and creates discomfort, while diegetic sounds highlight Chris's unease.

How is music used during the sunken place?

Organ music is used to create a feeling of hopelessness and emphasizes the ominous atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

What is the song used in the first scene called and what does it symbolize?

'Run Rabbit Run' symbolizes the predator/prey relationship and foreshadows danger for Chris. Signup and view all the answers

What camera angle is used when Chris is crying in the hypnosis scene and why is it used?

An extreme close-up of Chris's face is used to portray deep emotion and helplessness. Signup and view all the answers

What camera angle is used when Chris is gripping the chair in the hypnosis scene and why is it used?

A close-up of Chris's arms/hands gripping the chair is used to foreshadow his inability to escape. Signup and view all the answers

What does the teacup symbolize in the film 'Get Out'?

The teacup symbolizes the control and manipulation of black people by white individuals in power, representing class, civility, and generational privilege. Signup and view all the answers

How is the teacup used as a weapon in the film?

The teacup, along with the spoon, is used to hypnotize Chris, condemning him to a life of servitude, paralleling the way slave masters summoned their slaves. Signup and view all the answers

What does cotton symbolize in 'Get Out'?

Cotton symbolizes the past oppression of African American people and serves as a tool for Chris's empowerment against his oppressors. Signup and view all the answers

What does the sunken place represent in the film?

The sunken place represents feelings of being trapped, powerless, and the silencing of black voices in society. Signup and view all the answers

What do deer symbolize in the context of the Armitage family?

Deer symbolize how the Armitage family views black people as trophies and pests to be controlled and exploited. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Armitage house represent deeper themes in 'Get Out'?

The house symbolizes an idyllic facade that hides the violent truths of exploitation and cultural appropriation. Signup and view all the answers

What do the cars symbolize when the extended Armitage family arrives?

The cars symbolize the white family putting their consciousness into black bodies, highlighting the irony and horror of their actions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the quote 'I Want Your Eye, Man'?

This quote illustrates Jim Hudson's envy of Chris's talent and serves as a chilling foreshadowing of Jim's intentions to take over Chris's body. Signup and view all the answers

What does Dean's quote 'By The Way, I Would Have Voted For Obama For A Third Term, If I Could.' reveal?

It highlights Dean's superficial understanding of racial issues and illustrates the underlying racism of white liberals. Signup and view all the answers

How is music, especially harps, used in the film?

A harp is used to create an eerie atmosphere, representing subconscious emotions and making the audience feel uneasy. Signup and view all the answers

How do camera angles contribute to the unease felt when Chris and Rose arrive at the Armitage estate?

The camera maintains its distance, which, along with the music, creates a sense of unease and foreboding. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Symbolism of the Teacup and Spoon

The teacup hypnotizes Chris, representing manipulation and control of black individuals by white power holders.
Silver spoon symbolizes class, civility, and generational privilege, highlighting the Armitage family's wealth, particularly their white privilege.
The phrase "born with a silver spoon in their mouth" illustrates the Armitage family's inherited wealth, contrasting with their exploitation of Chris.
The china teacup represents the family's affluence, with china typically associated with wealth.

Symbolism of the Teacup Part 2

The teacup recalls slave masters summoning slaves, with Missy's use of it symbolizing Chris's eventual subjugation.
As a weapon, the teacup and spoon initially seem benign but ultimately entrap Chris into the "sunken place," illustrating false security leading to real danger.

Overview of Get Out

"Get Out," directed by Jordan Peele, is a satirical horror film centered on Chris’s unsettling visit to his girlfriend Rose's family home, revealing sinister underpinnings.

Symbolism of Cotton

Cotton symbolizes the historical oppression of African Americans; Chris uses it to escape, showcasing racial irony by turning a symbol of suffering into a source of strength.

Symbolism of the Sunken Place

The "sunken place" serves as a metaphor for black marginalization and silencing, reflecting societal power dynamics where autonomy is stripped from black individuals.
Jordan Peele states that the sunken place illustrates systemic racism silencing black voices.

Symbolism of Deers

Deers symbolize the Armitage family's view of black people as trophies; they hunt and display them while justifying their actions as pest control.
Dean’s remarks on deer showcase a metaphor for how some view people of color negatively within their communities.
Dean’s death by a deer head symbolizes the ironic consequence of his prejudiced views.

Symbolism of Deers and Guilt

The deer represents Chris’s guilt related to his mother's death; his instinct to save the deer mirrors his feelings of helplessness.
The basement scene featuring deer heads symbolizes confronting and overcoming guilt as Chris uses it to defend himself against Dean.

Symbolism of the Armitage House

The estate appears idyllic, masking deeper horrors and reflecting a plantation's legacy with black characters symbolizing past slavery.
Dean's collection of cultural artifacts reveals cultural appropriation and the power dynamics held by whites over black culture.

Symbolism of Cars

The black cars with white interiors signify the Armitage family's objective of transferring white consciousness into black bodies, creating an ironic visual.
Chris and Rose's red car symbolizes danger, with Rose driving indicating the power she holds in leading Chris into peril.

Symbolism of the White Car/Knight

Jeremy's knight's helmet symbolizes a deceptive facade of chivalry and the Armitage family’s sinister true intentions.
The white color is linked to purity, enhancing the irony of their horrific actions hidden beneath an innocent exterior.

Symbolism of Knight and Supremacy

The knight’s helmet references white supremacy, connecting to historical and modern racial dominance themes in the film.
Jordan Peele's commentary links the villains' lineage to the Knights Templar, emphasizing their belief in superiority.

Quotes from the Film

Jim Hudson's quote, "I Want Your Eye, Man," reveals his envy for Chris’s talent, emphasizing the exploitation theme and the loss of identity.
Dean's phrase "my man" illustrates the superficial kindness masking underlying racism, indicating white liberal ignorance.
"Black Is In Fashion" reflects the dehumanizing attitude of some whites, reducing the rich complexity of black identity to mere trends.
Andre's shout, "Get Out!" serves as both a warning and a foreshadowing of Chris's reality, signifying ignored cries of black individuals throughout history.

Significance of Dean's Monologue on Deer

Dean's opinion reveals his rigid view of racial issues, portraying black people as pests and reflecting societal attitudes of objectification and racism.

Chris's Fears Regarding Race

Chris's concern about being chased off with a gun reveals the deep-rooted fears of violence that black individuals experience due to systemic racism, linking to the film's climax.

Dean's Quote on Liberalism

Dean's declaration of voting for Obama attempts to present himself as progressive while highlighting white saviorism and performative allyship.

Use of Music in the Film

Harp music establishes an eerie ambience, mirroring Chris's subconscious discomfort around white individuals while enhancing the film's unsettling atmosphere.

Sound and Music for Jump Scares

The structured buildup before jump scares uses crescendos to create tension, keeping audiences on edge as suspense unfolds.

Camera Angles in the Armitage Estate Arrival

The distant camera work during Chris and Rose's arrival enhances unease, emphasizing isolation and foreshadowing the dangers within the estate.

Camera Angles in the Basement Scene

High-angle shots make Chris appear small and powerless, underlining his vulnerability, while close-ups of his fear convey the threat he faces.

Camera Angles to Show Guilt

Close-ups on Chris’s discomfort while discussing his mother emphasize his vulnerability and guilt, culminating in a focus on the teacup and spoon at the scene's end.### Sound and Music in Hypnotic Scenes
Non-diegetic piano music introduces the first conversation with Chris's parents, creating an emotional backdrop.
The same piano melody reappears when Missy discusses his mother, foreshadowing her hypnotic manipulation.
Diegetic sound of Chris scratching the sofa reflects his discomfort discussing his mother, enhancing audience empathy.
High pitch of the music combined with the focused diegetic sound deepens the unsettling atmosphere.
Rain symbolizes Chris's childhood emotions, fostering viewer empathy and illustrating his experiences as a Black individual.

Music in the Sunken Place

Organ music is used in the sunken place scene to evoke feelings of hopelessness, traditionally linked with funeral settings.
This choice amplifies the ominous mood, emphasizing the dread of Chris's situation.

Symbolism of "Run Rabbit Run"

The song "Run Rabbit Run" establishes a predator-prey dynamic between Chris, Andre, and the Armitage family.
Opens the film with a sense of foreboding, drawing the audience into the impending abduction of Andre.
Functions as foreshadowing for Chris’s upcoming dangers, highlighting themes of objectification and racial power imbalances in America.

Camera Angles in Emotional Scenes

An extreme close-up of Chris's face while he cries conveys his profound emotional struggle and helplessness, depicting his psychological state during hypnosis.

Close-up of Chris Gripping the Chair

A close-up of Chris's hands gripping the chair and nervously picking at the fluff serves multiple purposes.
This moment foreshadows his inability to resist the Armitages' hypnosis as he uses cotton to block out sound.
The cotton symbolizes historical references to slavery and plantations, linking the characters' experiences to broader racial narratives.

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Description

Explore the intricate symbolism of key objects in the film 'Get Out,' focusing specifically on the teacup and spoon. This quiz examines how these items reflect themes of control, manipulation, and class privilege within the narrative. Prepare to analyze the film's techniques and their deeper meanings.