Harold And Maude

3 Pages 869 Words

When humans are born into this world they come to the realization that life is harder than it appears. They consume their time trying to answer an endless stream of questions only to find the answers to be a labyrinth of even more questions. Society uses many devises to eliminate the questions of their purpose on earth as portrayed in the film “Harold and Maude.” The film tells the story of a young man lost in reality, haunted by answerless questions. Harold is obsessed with death until he meets his opposition, a woman consumed with life, Maude. Maude does not hold the answers to Harold’s questions, but she guides him to realize that the greatest feature of life is the opportunity to be whatever he wants to be. In one particular scene in the film, after he declares his engagement to Maude, Harold is forced to talk to three people who oppose the marriage: a military official, a psychiatrist, and a priest. These three people represent devices used by society to aid Harold’s conformity: military, school, and religion.
Harold’s struggle throughout the film is against conformity and it becomes evident society tries to conform him through the military. The military in the film is represented by Harold’s uncle who was “General Macarthur’s right hand man,” which is ironic considering Harold’s uncle is missing his right arm from war. Harold’s uncle salutes the flag with the arm he does not have; this symbolizes the nation’Qs false view that the best way to be patriotic is to join the military. And what better is there to symbolize freedom than to all wear identical uniforms and walk in line while going to other countries and “liberating” their oil fields. Maude’s way of life is more patriotic than military service; this nation was built on freedom and the best way to be patriotic is to live life however desired.
The second person Harold consults for his engagement is a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist symbolizes e...