“When I was young, I met this beautiful girl by a lake.”
The following paper focuses on how the afterlife is allegorized in Vincent Ward’s film. Ward combines motifs from various religions. Ancient, Western and Eastern versions of afterlife merge to an individualistic Great Beyond. The leading literary influence seems to come from Dante‘s The Divine Comedy, especially considering the movie’s depiction of Hell. Also several parallels to art work stand out. Of course, as no sources can prove it, it is just speculation if, especially the referred literature and paintings were an inspiration for the film. However, some parallels cannot be dismissed out of hand.
For a clearer arrangement, I assembled the research paper in a Heaven (Chapter 2.1.) and a Hell (Chapter 2.2.) section and will then summarize my observations as well as explicate how this all fits into the science fiction genre (Chapter 3). Unfortunately, apart from various reviews on the internet, no other secondary text on What Dreams May Come can be found in literature. On that account, my paper mainly bases on the film itself and several reference books on theology, philosophy and mythology. Namely, The Oxford Companion to Philosophy and Boxton’s The Complete World of Greek Mythology as reference books as well as work on afterlife: Coward’s Das Leben nach dem Tod in den Weltreligionen and Braun’s Das Jenseits – Die Vorstellungen der Menschheit über das Leben nach dem Tod.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Afterlife in Vincent Ward's What Dreams May Come
- 2.1. Heaven
- 2.2. Hell
- 3. Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
This research paper analyzes the portrayal of the afterlife in Vincent Ward's film, What Dreams May Come. It examines how the film allegorizes heaven and hell, drawing on various religious and cultural motifs. The paper focuses on the visual and narrative techniques used to represent these concepts and explores their significance within the science fiction genre.
- Representation of Heaven and Hell in film
- Religious and cultural influences on the film's depiction of the afterlife
- Visual and narrative techniques used to portray the afterlife
- The film's place within the science fiction genre
- Exploration of themes of love, loss, and sacrifice
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis by summarizing the plot of Vincent Ward's What Dreams May Come, focusing on the central love story between Chris and Annie and their journey through the afterlife after a tragic loss. It also briefly discusses the film's critical reception, highlighting both praise for its visual effects and criticism of its plot, establishing a framework for the subsequent thematic analysis. The chapter touches upon the film's non-chronological structure and its interweaving of scenes on Earth and in the afterlife, thereby introducing the complex narrative approach that will be analyzed in the following sections. The chapter concludes by stating the research paper's focus on the film's allegorical depiction of heaven and hell, hinting at the interdisciplinary approach that will be taken, drawing from theology, philosophy, and mythology.
2. The Afterlife in Vincent Ward's What Dreams May Come: This chapter delves into the film's central theme: the depiction of the afterlife. It begins by acknowledging the fundamental human question of life after death, and introduces the concept of the afterlife as a continuation of consciousness beyond physical existence. It establishes the film's exploration of this concept within various religious, esoteric, and metaphysical frameworks. The chapter lays the groundwork for a deeper exploration of the film's depiction of heaven and hell in the subsequent subchapters. The use of various religious and cultural motifs in the representation of the afterlife is highlighted, laying the foundation for a detailed analysis of these components in the following sections dedicated to Heaven and Hell.
Keywords
What Dreams May Come, Vincent Ward, afterlife, heaven, hell, allegory, religion, mythology, science fiction, visual effects, love, loss, sacrifice, death, consciousness.
What Dreams May Come: A Thematic Analysis - FAQ
What is the purpose of this research paper?
This research paper analyzes the portrayal of the afterlife in Vincent Ward's film, What Dreams May Come. It examines how the film allegorizes heaven and hell, drawing on various religious and cultural motifs. The paper focuses on the visual and narrative techniques used to represent these concepts and explores their significance within the science fiction genre. It also explores themes of love, loss, and sacrifice.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the representation of heaven and hell in film; religious and cultural influences on the film's depiction of the afterlife; visual and narrative techniques used to portray the afterlife; the film's place within the science fiction genre; and an exploration of themes of love, loss, and sacrifice.
What topics are covered in each chapter?
Chapter 1 (Introduction): This chapter sets the stage by summarizing the plot of What Dreams May Come, focusing on the central love story and the journey through the afterlife. It discusses the film's critical reception and introduces its non-chronological structure. The chapter states the research paper's focus on the film's allegorical depiction of heaven and hell.
Chapter 2 (The Afterlife in Vincent Ward's What Dreams May Come): This chapter delves into the film's depiction of the afterlife, acknowledging the human question of life after death and exploring the film's representation within religious, esoteric, and metaphysical frameworks. It lays the groundwork for a deeper exploration of heaven and hell.
Chapter 3 (Summary): This chapter provides a concise summary of the findings and analysis presented in the preceding chapters.
What are the keywords associated with this research paper?
What Dreams May Come, Vincent Ward, afterlife, heaven, hell, allegory, religion, mythology, science fiction, visual effects, love, loss, sacrifice, death, consciousness.
What is the overall structure of the research paper preview?
The preview includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, providing a comprehensive overview of the research paper's content and scope.
What kind of analysis does the paper employ?
The paper uses a thematic analysis, focusing on the allegorical representation of heaven and hell in the film, examining the visual and narrative techniques used, and considering the religious and cultural influences on the film's depiction of the afterlife. It also considers the film within the context of science fiction.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Antje Schoene (Autor:in), 2010, How Heaven and Hell are construed in Vincent Ward’s What Dreams May Come, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/149602
