The Themes of on the Waterfront Are Conveyed as Much by the Imagery and Symbolism as by the Events and Dialogue. to What Extent Do You Agree?

The imagery and dialogue in Elia Kazan’s film ‘On the Waterfront’ portrays the dilemma that the longshore workers face, whether to accept the code of D and D or face lock out by Johnny Friendly and his mob. The dialogue is very strong with memorable lines that resonate with the viewer. However it is the imagery and symbolism which speaks he loudest and presents the themes of corruption, loyalty and entrapment that the longshore men have to face. To add realism and authenticity to the film it was shot on location in Hoboken, New Jersey.

The docks, grimy streets, seedy barts and cramped apartments gave the town and film a feeling of oppression, giving the viewer a sense of helplessness that these men face. Filmed during the cold winter the longshoremen’s suffering is evident with their tatty coats, which are not just their armour against the cold but also against the corruption around them. This is contrasted with Friendly and his gang in their long coats, scarves and gloves. Across the Hudson River the Empire State building can be seen, it represents dreams and a different life, yet it is always seen through a fog, its sleek frame antithesis the rundown rooftops of Hoboken.

Kazan uses the image of open spaces when Terry Malloy is Speaking with Father Barry or Edie. Showing the freedom and escape that they offer if Terry were to choose their way of life and bring about justice on the docks. Conversely the scenes that involve Friendly and his gang are often in tight confined spaces that oppressive showing Terry’s entrapment with them.

The pigeons in the film are often couped up in cages, with their natural instinct to fly away yet they have been trained not to. The birds are fragile and represent another life style. They symbolize Terry and his want, to live a different life and escape the hold that Friendly has over him yet he also has been trained not too leave. Terry is often seen in his coup tending to his birds. The pigeons bring out his soft side and Terry...