The English Patient (Film) Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

The English Patient (Film) Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

Bombing

The medical tent is bombed just as Hana is finding out that a man she loves has been killed. It symbolizes the pain that she feels and is externalized by being simultaneously connected to what is happening in the war.

Fleeting Money

Hana gives her friend Jan money so that she can buy lace in the next town. She initially tells her she won't give it to her, but eventually does as she knows that money is fleeting. Jan's car is blown up moments later and the money becomes a symbol that what we care about and pour into can be gone at any moment.

Laszlo's Book

Laszlo keeps a copy of Ancient History by Herodotus with him wherever he goes. It is a symbol for the love that he had for Katharine as her paintings and letters to her are pasted inside. Thus it becomes a history of the two lovers.

Paper

Geoffrey finds out that paper is the gift for the 1st wedding anniversary. He tells Katharine that he won't be home that night, but does so because he wants to surprise her. But his gift of paper becomes a symbol of betrayal as he discovers her leaving their hotel in order to have an affair with Laszlo.

No Bargaining

Laszlo early in the film tells Katharine that she should have bargained for what she purchased from the market as it shows respect to the seller, but she didn't because she didn't care, she wanted it regardless of price. Later in the film we see Laszlo pay for a thimble for Katharine and he doesn't bargain, he pays. It's a symbol that he doesn't care what it costs; if it's for her he will pay the price.

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