Pan's Labyrinth Essay

Quite often, fairytales are associated with fictional phenomenon or mythical events. This fact does hold true, however, there can be some non-fictional elements found within these fairytales as well. These elements can range from different themes, a common conflict, or a certain event that takes place in the story. A good example of a realistic theme being depicted in a fairytale can be found within the film “Pan’s Labyrinth”. The story of how the daughter of the king of the underworld is reincarnated as the young Ophelia, trapped in a violent and ruthless environment, and later led to a labyrinth where a faun tells her that if she completes three tasks she can return to her status as princess of the underworld. Ophelia is faced with real world

problems in the film, her mother is married to an abusive and ruthless military captain, she lives in an environment filled with poverty and killing, and she feels as if she does not belong in this setting amongst the conflict and fighting. Most of the elements and symbols used in the film depict a very ominous and horrific theme. The gun in which captain Vidal (Ophelia’s stepfather) uses represents pain and loss. In the context of how it was used against Ophelia, the gun also represents rebirth.
Vidal is seen with this gun throughout most of the duration of the movie.

The gun helped him impose fear upon his enemies as well as his followers and men. In doing so, this enabled him to exercise and maintain his power and authority over his soldiers and his house servants. The first instance of Vidal using his gun to take away life occurred near the beginning of the film. His soldiers captured a farmer and his son suspecting them of being a part of the resistance and plotting against the captain. The farmer and his son both confess to rabbit hunting and doing nothing more, but convinced that they are both lying the captain shoots and kills them both. After searching through their belongings and discovering the corpse of a dead rabbit within its contents, Vidal and his soldiers realize that the men were telling the truth. Even after this discovery, no remorse or guilt is shown and he simply tells his men to search more thoroughly and not waste his time from then on. This is the first instance of the theme of loss in the film. It also helps depict how ruthless the captain is by taking the lives of the innocent and showing how he would stop at nothing to achieve his

goals.
The theme of pain is also apparent in the movie through Vidal’s use of his gun during skirmishes between the resistance group.

He kills many men and even captures one to learn that his doctor and house servant are in fact spies and a part of the resistance. After the death of her mother and birth of her baby brother, Ophelia goes as far as to cooperate with Mercedes, Vidals’ house servant, and join the resistance herself in response to her father’s oppressive power. The use of the gun helps embody the dark tone of the movie as well as the theme. To many audiences, the labyrinth is considered a manifestation of Ophelia’s feelings, and an attempt to escape the harsh life that she lives in to enter a better

one.
The theme of rebirth is evident at the end of the movie. The last task that Ophelia needed to complete was to obtain the blood of an innocent, in this case her baby brother. Ophelia refuses to sacrifice him and as she tries to leave the labyrinth Vidal shoots her in response to putting his son, her brother in danger. Ophelia dies, however, through her innocent blood, she is awarded her status as princess of the underworld. Her selfless act of sacrificing herself instead of her brother enabled her to achieve her goal of becoming the princess. The gun had taken her life away, but at the same time gave birth to her former self. There is also much irony in how Captain Vidal is killed by Mercedes and the resistance group with his own gun. The irony is very apparent in how the same gun he used to take so many lives was the gun that was used to end his life.
The themes and structure of “Pan’s Labyrinth” share many similarities to other modern fictional stories. For example, the story of Harry Potter shares many similarities with the story of Ophelia. Harry is also being raised in a hostile and abusive environment and escapes this setting by discovering that he is a wizard, enabling him to enter a new world of magic and wizardry. This is very much the same as Ophelia’s escape from her harsh environment, discovering that she is a princess which enables her to enter into a magical world. Both characters are faced with obstacles as well as an antagonist. Harry faces the challenge of Hogwarts school and stopping the evil wizard Voldemort. Ophelia must overcome three obstacles and eventually help stop Vidal and the remaining members of his army. Both characters are even guided by mentors. Harry is guided by his school professors but mainly Dumbledore, and Ophelia is guided through her tasks by the faun and the fairies. Both of the stories share common aspects with each other and follow a very similar structure.