Themes in THE MATRIX AS Analyse a visual or oral text

What it means to be free  The importance of independence, the ability to control our own lives, and freedom are all ideas that are central in The Matrix.  The matrix is Unreal but seems very real (as we know real) whilst reality is a type of living hell. The film explores the idea that freedom and control over self is more important than living ‘well’ but being controlled and dependent. Morpheus says:"The matrix is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.“ The truth is freedom and the matrix is slavery.

Freedom continued  For example, when Morpheus says to Neo: “What is The Matrix? Control. The Matrix is a computer-generated dream world, built to keep us under control in order to change a human being into this. (Battery)”, he is commenting on the lack of freedom human beings have – they are no better than batteries (even if the dream world appears fine). Morpheus: “I’m trying to free your mind Neo, but I can only show you the door. You’re the one that has to walk through it.” Morpheus is literally trying to free Neo from the matrix.

What is reality and what is the truth?  Reflections and glasses are used as a motif throughout the film to question what is real. For example, Neo and the boy with the spoon: “There is no spoon”. The melting wall when Neo takes the red pill – reality for him is ‘melting’ like the wall.  It also suggests the idea of worlds within worlds. For example, the reflection, the two Neos in Morpheus’ glasses, represents the two lives that Neo is leading. In the left lens, we see the blue pill and Thomas Anderson, and in the right lens, we see the red pill and Neo.  Characters tend to ‘hide’ themselves behind glasses when they can no longer be manipulated by the other world.

Use of symbolic colour  Green: The green-on-black theme may be a reference to old monochrome computer monitors, which often displayed green on a black background.  Green seems to be associated with the Matrix. Most scenes in the Matrix use a green theme. For example, When Morpheus is in the Matrix, he wears a green necktie. When he is in the real world, he doesn't. The wallpaper in the Oracle's apartment is green, and all the walls in that building are painted green. The Oracle's outfit is also green.

Use of symbolic colour (continued)  Blue: Blue seems to stand for slavery in the Matrix. The office building scenes are blue, the delivery man with the cellphone wears blue and there is the blue pill, which would have returned Neo to slavery.

Use of symbolic colour (continued)  Red: represents sacrifice for freedom. (RED usually indicates blood and bloodshed is usually a requirement for freedom)  Red pill = freedom  Red woman = by longing for the woman in red Neo risks his freedom in taking a second look and almost getting shot by an Agent  Red blood = end of the movie, when he bleeds and becomes freed from his mind and becomes "The One"  Red "pod" = when he wakes up and sees the red stuff around him, he becomes freed from the enslavement of the matrix

Religious and mythological symbolism  THE ONE. In Christian theology: Jesus Christ is the Messiah who saves mankind from its sins. Christ translates from Hebrew into 'Anointed One.' In the movie: Reeves plays Neo, supposedly 'the One' who will lead mankind out of computer-generated bondage. An anagram of Neo is One.  MORPHEUS. In Greek mythology: Morpheus is the god of dreams. In the movie: Morpheus is the leader of rebel forces who fights to awaken enslaved masses from a dreamlike reality.  ZION. In the Book of Revelation: Zion is the kingdom of God where the righteous will be saved after the destruction of the earth. In the movie: With earth destroyed, Zion is the only city where humans are free.

Religious and mythological symbolism  NEBUCHADNEZZAR. In the Bible: Nebuchadnezzar was a Babylonian king who searched for the meaning of his dreams. In the movie: Morpheus names his ship Nebuchadnezzar and visits an oracle to interpret reality -- really a dream.  THE TRAITOR. In the Bible: Judas, one of the 12 trusted apostles, betrays Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. In the movie: The traitor is Cypher (think 'Lucifer'), one of Morpheus' seven trusted crew members. He betrays Morpheus for a steak dinner.  THE RESURRECTION. In the Bible: Jesus dies on the cross, but returns three days later, proving he is indeed 'the One.' It's a miracle now celebrated as Easter. In the movie: Neo experiences a similar fate, but it's likely we'll celebrate with a sequel.

Religious and mythological symbolism  Bhuddism. Awakening: The first message that mysteriously shows up on Neo's screen says "Wake up, Neo." Later Morpheus says, "You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he expects to wake up. Ironically, that's not far from the truth." The word "Buddha" means "awakened.  The closing song that plays over the end credits is called "Wake Up."