MESHES OF THE AFTERNOON (Maya Deren, 1943)

In Deren's Meshes of the Afternoon, an average kitchen knife is used as a primary sign throughout the film. The use of the knife in the film, when first introduced, is perceived as harmless; but as the plot progresses and the use of the knife changes scene by scene, the audience begins to realize the intended use of this sign. Initially the knife is shown stuck in a loaf of bread on the kitchen table. However, when the knife mysteriously falls onto the table with the sharp end pointing toward the main character, the audience realizes that there may be another intended purpose for this seemingly purposeless prop. From the kitchen table, to the stairs, to the pillow, and eventually to the main characters hand, the way Deren works the knife into the plot shows it's increasing significance, but does not readily give the reason as to why it is so important.

Had Deren chosen to use a hand gun instead of a kitchen knife, the intended purpose of the sign would have initially been given away, robbing her film of its essential mysterious plot. The use of a handgun is almost always a violent one; however, with a kitchen knife the audience is unsure of its purpose until the end of the film. Therefore, had a handgun been the main sign instead of a knife, the connotative value of the film would have been focused on the feeling of violence.

The main character in Deren's Meshes of the Afternoon wears sandals throughout the film. In fact, her feet are the focal point of a number of shots. Therefore, it seems that Deren's choice of footwear was made for a reason. Sandals are typical of summers, beaches, and sunny days. They give a sense of openness, relaxation, and peace.

Any number of shoes could have been used in the film, each with its own subtle meaning. Tennis shoes would have presented a sense of athleticism, and casualness. Dress shoes or heels would have been formal and restricting. Sturdiness, durability, and work could have been symbolized by boots. Childishness and fun would have been felt if flip-flops were worn. However, Deren chose to use sandals. By doing this, she shows that the character is a typically relaxed persona and desires freedom and access to the world. She wants to be unrestricted in some ways, and yet still must conform to society's views of what is appropriate and 'stylish.'

The classic look of the sandals and the carefully pedicured nails on her feet show her attention to her appearance and her acceptance of their importance in a sight-centered world. Yet, it would seem that she wants to be free of some of the societal restrains because she is relaxed and casual, instead of formal and restricted, as many women are in typical working dress shoes. The fact that the sandals are made of wide leather straps also says something about the personality of the character. While she wants the freedom and openness of sandals, she also craves the protection and sturdiness of the world around her. Skinnier straps would symbolize true desire to be rid of restrictions, while a material other than leather would show a desire to disconnect from the natural world. It is apparent from Deren's choice of footwear in this film that the character is aware of her desires, but also aware of the world and has managed to find some degree of balance between the two.

The film starts out with a flower slowly being lowered towards the ground where it is gently placed. This moment of the film, however brief, gives a false representation of what is later to come. A flower is something that is most generally related to thoughts of beauty and harmony, which is the initial feeling the flower creates. Deren then goes through a dreamlike experience in which the flower is placed on a bed in a way that relates closer to the ideas of death and mourning. This is when we truly see the flower's symbolic value unveiled.

In analyzing the various meanings of the flower in this film, it is important to understand what kind of changes it would make to the movie had another object been used in its place. Suppose the object had been a tree branch. The initial element of peace and beauty would have been missing altogether. Instead we would have a dull, ugly stick that wouldn't connect to the film all too well. The implication of death and mourning would have been lost as well. We associate these ideas with flowers because that is how gravestones of loved ones are adorned in remembrance. A stick would not even hint at any such thing.

Throughout the film, mirrors make a number of appearances: as the face of a cloaked figure, in the glasses of one of Deren's dreamed up duplicates, and in the bedroom, being stared into by Deren's boyfriend. The cloaked figure remains a mystery to the Deren until he reveals his face to her, a large mirror. This mirror creates a feeling of self awareness within Deren, in spite of her repetitious dream world, revealing to her that her fate is in her own hands, not anybody else's. When we see a shattered mirror on the beach, we know that Deren has come to terms with this and has made her decision--suicide.

The kitchen knife that appears in the film suggests a feeling of fear and possible uncertainty in the mind of Deren. She sees the knife in a loaf of bread, seemingly harmless, but later we see that the knife has a more considerable amount of meaning. As she sits around the table with her two other selves, we see them each take a key from the table. The final Deren, the real one, takes the key only to have it turn into the knife. At this point we are not sure as to what this may mean. We later see the scene that depicts Deren slashing the knife at someone and fragments of shattered mirror hitting the shore of the beach. We then see Deren lying lifeless in an armchair when her boyfriend walks in to discover that she is dead.

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Last update: 8/27/2004