Borrowing Ladders...
When Jerome (Vincent) is first called a “borrowed ladder” for stealing Eugene’s (Jerome’s) identity, I had to rewind the movie a couple times to see what exactly the term was. Borrowed ladder, while at first seemed completely random, is actually a perfect term to describe Jerome. He is borrowing someone else’s ladder (in this case, genetics) to escalate his social status. With this metaphor, we are essentially identifying genes with a method to rise or fall socially and economically. Even more perfect, the fact that Eugene is injured means that he could not use a ladder (literally and figuratively), and thus benefited most from selling it to someone who could. Continuing with this metaphor, it is interesting to note that Eugene only lives on the bottom floor of his huge house because of his handicap. The only time we see Eugene on the top floor is the scene where Vincent’s brother, the police/FBI officer, comes to the house. In this scene, Eugene struggles with all of his strength to climb up the stairs to make it to the top floor to protect Jerome. Ironically, if you look carefully, the staircase is actually shaped like a DNA helix, thus adding the symbolic meaning of DNA being a method by which one can go up or down the social hierarchy.
Eugene is in fact a very important and interesting character in the novel, despite the fact that he initially seems to only be a donator of genes. We can definitely learn as much from Eugene in the movie as we can from Jerome. Just looking at the name, Eugene, we see the root for the term “eugenics” or “good genes.” Eugene is just that, a good set of genetic coding. However, despite his genetic superiority, Eugene still suffers a crippling injury. In the same manner that Jerome overcomes his genetic inferiority to reach his dream, Eugene’s genetics do not automatically provide him with a magnificent life. Genes do not determining everything. As we saw from Jerome’s success to space and Eugene’s suicide, in the long run, a strong heart overcomes weak genes.
Any other thoughts on major symbols/representations in the movie?
Eugene is in fact a very important and interesting character in the novel, despite the fact that he initially seems to only be a donator of genes. We can definitely learn as much from Eugene in the movie as we can from Jerome. Just looking at the name, Eugene, we see the root for the term “eugenics” or “good genes.” Eugene is just that, a good set of genetic coding. However, despite his genetic superiority, Eugene still suffers a crippling injury. In the same manner that Jerome overcomes his genetic inferiority to reach his dream, Eugene’s genetics do not automatically provide him with a magnificent life. Genes do not determining everything. As we saw from Jerome’s success to space and Eugene’s suicide, in the long run, a strong heart overcomes weak genes.
Any other thoughts on major symbols/representations in the movie?
posted by Anonymous at 3:26 PM
2 Comments:
I agree. Even though I feel that predisposition to certain diseases can definitely shape one's destiny, I think Eugene is a great example of how a seemingly perfect gene makeup guarantees nothing. After all, even he himself acknowledges that with his "first rate" biology, he could only attain the silver medal. Even with an expectancy to "live for practically forever," he ends his own life prematurely, silver medal looped around his neck. Here, I think that medal symbolizes that people should not take anything/anyone at face (or gene) value.
I would just like to elaborate on your point that good genes doesn't necessarily provide for a good life. Eugene tells us that when he walked in front of that car, be was completely sober. It was a pure accident. I think the reason that it was drawn to the viewer's attention is that perfect genetics does not protect someone from the everyday trials of life. In short good genes aren't everything.
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