The Search for Identity

The Search for Identity

1. Billy

   • Feels restricted by the masculine gender expectations of the mining community and seeks an authentic and fulfilling identity by pursuing his interest in ballet
   • Symbol/Motif
     • Piano
       • Billy is repeatedly shot pensively playing a chord on the family piano and appears entranced by the sound of the piano at the ballet lesson
         • Represents Billy's connection with his mother whom he desperately misses
     • Mirror
       • Billy is regularly reflected in the mirror during his first ballet class and following scenes when he is practising pirouettes
         • Mirrors are used as a metaphor for reflection and potential. Thus Billy considers ballet a part of his authentic identity and aspires to achieve success
     • Boxing Gloves Vs Ballet Slippers
       • Boxing gloves represent the traditional masculine gender roles and physicality of Durham miners. Ballet slippers represent the traditional female gender roles forbidden for a male.
         • Daldry uses these contrasting symbols to illustrate the discrepancy between Billy’s private and public personas. The hiding of ballet slippers under his bed or clothing and the presence of boxing gloves or ballet slippers around his neck convey Billy’s identity and confidence.

2. Jackie

   • Struggling to come to terms with his new identity as an unemployed protester and widower, Jackie is emasculated by circumstances yet (at first) too obstinate to change
   • Dialogue
     • Monosyllabic, stunted dialogue
       • Jackie's dialogue is limited and features pauses that portray his lack of confidence
   • Symbol/Motif
     • Barrier/Fence
       • The positioning of Jackie behind barriers/fences shows his disconnection from Billy or lack of agency and imprisonment.
   • Role-Reversal
     • Tony physically challenges and disrespects Jackie
       • The rise of Tony as the more outspoken dominant male in the Elliot family highlights Jackie’s emasculation.

3. Tony

   • Tony is presented as angry, rebellious and disrespectful towards authority figures. However, at the end of the film, he assumes the responsibilities of a nurturing older brother
   • Symbols/Props
     • Strike Banners and Hammer
       • Daldry employs the strike banner and hammer (volatile and violent mode of protest) to illustrate Tony’s resentment and limited perspective of the world.
   • Dialogue
     • Expletives and insults often directed at Billy
       • Tony’s dialogue initially displays his anger and resentment in relation to the strikes and his own limitations and future prospects.
   • Music/Dancing Scenes
     • Tony is regularly shot dancing in his room
       • The dance scenes indicate that Tony shares Billy’s passion for music/dance but lacks the imagination or courage to challenge the social paradigm

4. Michael

   • Michael acknowledges his position as a social outcast and homosexual; however, he experiments with cross-dressing in an attempt to attain his authentic identity
   • Motif: Alternate, Divergent Path
     • Michael refuses to join the boxing class and leads Billy down a different path on the cross country run.
       • Daldry portrays Michael as an outsider, marginalised for not conforming to the social paradigms
   • Motif/Costume
     • Tutu
       • Michael makes several references to a tutu and later wears a tutu
         • The tutu motif is a sign of supporting Billy’s pursuit of ballet and also represents Michael’s interest in cross-dressing.

5. Mrs Wilkinson

   • Mrs Wilkinson appears defeated and unfulfilled in her role as a wife, mother and dance instructor. However, she is momentarily reinvigorated when Billy becomes her star pupil.
   • Motif/Prop
     • Cigarettes
       • Mrs Wilkinson is constantly smoking, especially in the early ballet scenes.
         • Daldry utilises the cigarette to convey Mrs Wilkinson’s malaise and discontentment with her life
   • Motif
     • Swan Lake
       • The score and explanation of the ballet to Billy
         • The story of love and loss in Swan Lake reflects the heartache of Mrs Wilkinson’s own marriage and her sadness when Billy attends the Royal Ballet School
     • Silhouette
       • Window reflection on the ferry; silhouette in the boxing hall after Billy leaves.
         • Daldry uses the silhouette to highlight that despite her significant contribution to Billy’s success, this can only provide momentary satisfaction and fulfilment for Mrs Wilkinson