ENVS 1010 The use of anthropomorphism in film plastic bag.

The Use of Anthropomorphism in Film Plastic Bag
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The Use of Anthropomorphism in Film Plastic Bag
The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines anthropomorphism as “an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics.” Cambridge dictionary offers a clearer definition noting that it is “showing or treating of animals, gods, and objects as if they are human in appearance, character, or behavior.” The second dictionary is not only clearer but also helps to offer context for this paper. The film Plastic Bag has been critically acclaimed not only because of its use of anthropomorphism but also because of the message it seeks to communicate. The underlying message in the film is recycling or the production of biodegradable shopping bags to help preserve the environment. To pass on this message to the viewers, the film uses a plastic bag as the main character and takes the viewers on a reflective journey of the plastic bag’s life. The 2009 film was directed by Ramin Bahrani, and throughout the film, it is clear that Bahrani sought to appeal to people’s emotions in the quest to enhance the condition of the environment. In the film, the plastic bag is anthropomorphized and thus has dreams, feelings, love, hope, and also experiences solitude. The film does well in using anthropomorphism, and this technique works in motivating people to change their behavior in accordance with the message being conveyed.
Effectiveness of the Use of Anthropomorphism
One way that the film effectively uses anthropomorphism is through the plastic bag’s reflections on beauty. As the film starts, one cannot help it but wonder at the beauty of daylight and the sandy shore. The sight is breathtaking, and at this point, the narrator (the bag’s voice) speaks out the bag’s thoughts. “They told me it’s out there. The Pacific Vortex. Paradise. You may be thinking, hey shut up and enjoy the sunset you idiot” (00:45). Well, one cannot be faulted if they were thinking like that because the sight is indeed breathtaking. It makes little sense that one would be thinking about another paradise while having such a view. The plastic bag also acknowledges the beauty by referencing the sunset which does look incredible. Another instance of beauty that is showcased through the plastic bag is when the plastic bag meets a red plastic bag. At some point, the plastic bag remarks “wasn’t she beautiful,” (10:26-10:28), something that confirms its appreciation of beauty. The beauty is of the red bag is intoxicating to a point where the plastic bag says “I didn’t need a maker anymore. I only needed her” (10:38-10:42). While at sea, the plastic bag also appears to be enticed by the beauty of the creatures in the water. At first, the creatures had seemed cruel because they had tried to take little pieces off the body of the plastic bag. However, the plastic bag gets used to the monsters and at some point remarks “isn’t that one beautiful?” (15:58-15:59) The bag’s obsession with beauty ...