Pan's Labyrinth Reflection Questions

Watches and time: What is the symbolism and backstory to Captain Vidal’s watch? Why is it an important plot device?

The symbolism behind the watch is when the one officer at the table told it he said that he smashed the watch so his son knew what time he died and what it took to be a hero. We see the captain using a watch periodically and to him it's a symbol of obsession. He is obsessed with the passage of time. He knows he is living to die, his whole driving force is based on the story of his father, who died and broke the watch to show his son how a real man should die. His watch obsession parallels with his obsession with death. In the hill scene where they are firing the guns at the rebels he says “it's the only decent way to die.” Vidal is obsessed with the passage of time and he lives by its restrictions and he is aware of them. He is a man of action and, a military captain, who forces his will on the world like the gears do on a watch.

Keys: Keys seemingly play a “key” role in the film. Ofelia uses a key to obtain the sacred dagger; Mercedes gives a key to her brother to open the storage shed for supplies; you might assert that the chalk was a portal of sorts to the lair of the Pale Man. Discuss the symbolic importance of keys to the film.

This is almost like a new step to the equation, they open and give new opportunities. It especially opens up a window of opportunity for Ofelia to let her live out a fairy tale life like she's always wanted. The key for Mercedes is almost like hope, it's the key to hope with hoping that the rebels and her brother can succeed in defeating Vidal. The key with the chalk for the portal to the pale man is the key for him to get a meal and lore them to him. In this world is so dark and dismal and in a way each character has their own key to leave this place. Carmen's is the baby/death, Vidal's is death, Mercedes is hope, Ofelia's is being able to return to the underworld as their princess. Although it might not take the form of an actual key they allow the character to leave this place of darkness and be able to live a free life.