While many perceive this film as a love story, I find it unnecessary to dwell on this theme. I prefer to view the narrative as a metaphor, specifically, a metaphor for the relationship between the civilized world and the Other. I'll explain my point through the following Q&A:
Who is Edward?
— To me, he seems somewhat inexplicable, almost like a robot. Yet, this is inconsequential. What matters is that he is an "outsider," an Other. His appearance, thoughts, and skills make him distinctly unique. A line in the film emphasizes that he is special in any circumstance, which is crucial.
Why does Edward live on the mountain? Why does it look peculiar?
— Notice that the mountain Edward inhabits is first seen through the car's rearview mirror of Peg, suggesting that the mountain is an unbelievable place existing only in people's perceptions. Questions about why Edward is there and how people hadn't discovered him earlier are perplexing but irrelevant. What matters is that the mountain appears illusory and eerie when observed from the outside. The structures resemble churches without visible crosses, implying that this place may not belong to the Christian world—outside the realm of Western civilization. Therefore, Edward comes from a non-Christian region, from beyond civilization.
Why does Peg go up the mountain?
— For commercial reasons. I hope not to speculate, but this is akin to Westerners seeking the East during the era of new trade routes. A beauty product saleswoman, Peg ventures up the mountain hoping for a stroke of luck after an unsuccessful day.
Why does Peg bring this strange man down from the mountain?
— Out of compassion and kindness. Initially driven by sales, Peg, a compassionate person, brings the lonely Edward home. Such compassion and mercy are exceptional, making it akin to a fairy tale.
How do the people in the town perceive Edward?
— Initially curious, later amazed by his unique abilities, Edward becomes an unexpected delight. Temporarily, he seems to be the most popular person in this once-unfamiliar world. However, people don't truly understand him; they merely use him for various purposes, driven by curiosity or the need for assistance.
How does Edward win Kim's love?
— Because he lacks the hypocrisy and timidity prevalent in the civilized world. He is pure, sincere, and kind, resembling romantic love between a Christian and a Gypsy in literary works such as "Carmen."
Why do people eventually expel him?
— People never truly understood him and had no desire to. They liked him for what he could offer. As soon as they sensed a potential threat, they expelled him without hesitation. Particularly, he could win the love of the town's ladies, making him even more undesirable.
Why can't Kim be with Edward?
— This is the metaphor for the relationship between civilization and the Other. Edward unintentionally disrupts the town's peace, posing a threat to its people's safety. The prerequisite for peaceful coexistence between civilizations is the absence of mutual threats; otherwise, hostility ensues. Especially when it involves women, it may lead to bloodshed. Hence, even if Edward and Kim love each other, they cannot embrace each other without constraints. In the end, they must return to their respective groups—civilization (though Edward lives in a solitary world), preserving the memory of each other, even as a fairy tale.
Civilization brings a sense of security but can also induce oppression. Hence, people need an imaginary outlet—something beyond civilization, inspiring the romantic genre. Works often depict cross-cultural romances—between Easterners and Westerners, Christians and Gypsies, or even Earthlings and extraterrestrials. However, these are ultimately imaginative, as crossing the boundaries of civilizations is seldom, given that these limits are impossible to erase.
Share your thoughts!
Be the first to start the conversation.