Representation

  In Shutter Island, directed by Martin Scorsese, the idea of representation has many layers, both in the story and through the visuals. One of the biggest pieces of representation is how the film shows mental illness. The movie is set in a mental hospital, and through the main character, Teddy Daniels, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, the audience experiences the thin line between what is real and what isn’t. Teddy becomes a symbol of the struggles between trauma and mental breakdowns. His personal battles highlight his mental health, and the film talks about the harsh treatment methods used in places like the one in the movie.

The movie also represents authority figures like doctors and police. Dr. Cawley, the head psychiatrist, is shown as a character who is caring but also controlling, making viewers question how much power he should have. Teddy Daniels, as a U.S. Marshal, represents the law, but throughout the story, he starts to lose control and question everything he thought was true. This creates an interesting message about how people in power can manipulate others, especially when dealing with people who are vulnerable or unsure of themselves.

Shutter Island also touches on gender representation, though it’s not as obvious. There aren’t many girls in the movie, and most of them are shown through Teddy’s memories, especially his wife, Dolores. She plays a huge role in his trauma, and her character is both a victim and a source of pain for Teddy. On one hand, she is shown as a tragic figure dealing with mental illness, but on the other hand, she is part of why Teddy’s life falls apart. This makes her character both powerful and complex.

Lastly, the way the island itself is shown adds to the deeper meaning of the film. Shutter Island is isolated, harsh, and gloomy, which reflects the mental state of the characters. The island can be seen as a symbol of how trauma and guilt can trap people in their own minds. The constant storms and rugged landscape also show how hard it is to physically and mentally escape. Through these different forms of representation, Shutter Island explores psychological and social themes.