Symbolism In Pleasantville

As Pleasantville progresses more and more objects and people turn to color, but if we look back to the beginning we can identify some key changes. After Jen and Skip go to Lover’s Lane and have sex with each other, Skip drives home and spots a solitary blood red rose. This single rose symbolizes the passion and love that he and Jen just experienced, while sex may not be the most romantic deed it is still filled with passion. Not only is the rose a symbol of passion, it symbolizes growth and knowledge. Flowers are clearly symbols of growth and change, and in this case Skip’s view on the world and what is possible is expanding and growing, just like a flower. Before Jen’s prompting for more, Skip simply wanted to date her, he was even afraid to hold her hand so soon. Yet, after Jen takes him to Lover’s Lane and they have sex he opens up more to new experiences and opportunities, again similar to how

a flower blooms.

Later in the story, many significant events occur, critically changing Pleasantville.

As many of these events occur a giant thunderstorm is pouring down outside. However, Jen is inside, reading a book. As she continues to read she pulls on Peggy Sue’s cardigan and glasses. The next morning, Jen wakes up in color like many others. Obviously this is a crucial and changing moment in Jen’s character. In the beginning of the movie, Jen was vehemently against Pleasantville, school, and solely interested in boys and the social scene. However, as the movie progresses Jen gains more understanding of herself and who she truly wishes to be, this moment being the final piece in her puzzle. By putting on the unflattering cardigan and glasses, she is accepting who she really is and at the same time coming closer to becoming Peggy Sue and accepting the town of Pleasantville. The rain that arose that night is symbolic of her washing away her past misdeeds and issue and turning over a new leaf. After that night she morphs into color, simply because she had finally accepted who she

was.

Since the beginning, David had always fantasized about living in Pleasantville. He always loved the simpleness and constant happiness of the town. Especially since it was such a contrast to his own reality. When he and Jen get transported into the “perfect world” of Pleasantville, he doesn’t want any to change and is against any deviation or coloring. He pushes Jen to follow the order of Pleasantville as well, attempting to make sure nothing changes. However, when David goes on a date with Margaret she presents him with a colored apple. Without much hesitation David begins to eat it, symbolizing his final acceptance of the adjustments to Pleasantville. Similar to the Garden of Eden, Margaret brings him the forbidden fruit, or the fruit of knowledge and he accepts it aware of and okay with the consequences it brings. David is later told by the TV man to leave Pleasantville, highlighting the apple David ate as a problem. David resists and explains how he believes the change is good and needs to happen. David has accepted the fruit of knowledge and finally understands that deviation is sometimes necessary and even good.