Tea and Sympathy Imagery

Tea and Sympathy Imagery

Laura and Tom

We watch as Laura goes to Tom on the golf course where they kiss and eventually make love. They are seen in the woods with a tree behind them. The imagery connects to the situation of man and woman in the Garden of Eden, representing where man and woman first began. It's as if Minnelli is restarting what men and women are meant to be.

Burning

We watch as the young boys of the prep school burn a massive bonfire while ripping Tom's shirt off of him. The imagery reveals the uncontrolled nature of aggression and violence these boys have towards someone who isn't like them in their false bravado. What makes the imagery more stark is watching Bill stand idly by.

Sister Boy

The boys have written on Tom's door, "Sister Boy Lee". This imagery reveals that the young men believe him to be not a man, but effeminate and gay and they harass him for this. In truth, he is not; he just isn't like them, but we see the hardship that he must endure even so.

Closing the Blinds

We see Ellie smoking a cigarette and closing the blinds as Tom arrives in her room. The imagery shows that they are about to sleep together, but it also makes one feel as if this is something no one needs to see--even Tom himself.

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