The ‘The
Bicycle Thief’, which received an honorary
Oscar in 1949 is one that is basically an illustration
of the socio-cultural obstacles and barriers that
one tends to encounter when surviving and interacting
within a predominantly lower class societal setting.
This is something that is illustrated quite effectually
through the demise that the protagonist, a character
named Ricci, finds himself in as he continues
on his apparently never-ending task of finding
employment in order to support his family.
Gradually and eventually, ‘’The Bicycle
Thief’ brings us to acknowledge that desperate
times can make any man a thief, and that the world
is full of those who, under the right circumstances,
will take from others to provide for their families.
This theme is especially outlined via the portrayal
of the relationship that Ricci has with his son,
primarily due to the affection that Ricci obviously
holds for his son.
A fleeting glimpse of man depositing Ricci’s
linen within a towering wall of shelves stuffed
with other people's sheets brings home the significant
lack of jobs during the era in Italy. Thus begins
the journey into the symbolic depth of the movie.
It is, however, when Ricci’s bicycle is
stolen from him, that the main theme of the movie
actually begins to take shape. Ricci is accompanied
by his son on his fruitless quest for the recovery
of the stolen bicycle, and it is in the manner
that his son is portrayed as perceiving his fathers
actions that the main theme actually lies.
While it is clear, for instance, that Ricci’s
familial duties play an important role in bringing
about the increasing desperation within his personality;
it is the little boy’s innocence, displayed
in his perception and queries, which actually
accentuates themes. This, moreover, is something
that is emphasized quite effectually when considering
it in light of the scene towards the ending of
the movie. Driven to frustration as a result of
his inability to retrieve his bike in spite of
cornering the thief since there is a lack of evidence,
Ricci, towards the end of the film, is shown to
be contemplating the theft himself.
This scene yields instrumental significance
primarily as a result of the bearings that it
has on the thesis statement. It becomes evident
that it is fundamentally as a result of his perseverance
to his familial requirements that Ricci doggedly
chases every trail that holds the promise of money
regardless of the height of the stakes at hand.
It is quite apparent, thus speaking and taking
into consideration all that has been and discussed,
that ‘The Bicycle Thief’ is a story
of determination and desperation set within post-war
Italy.
Inevitability, it seems, also seems to have been
integrated as a relevant theme, this being something
that is hinted at in as much as the manner in
which the man who stole Ricci’s bicycle
was motivated. It would be conclusively appropriate
to acknowledge that it is the inevitability, in
concern to resorting to stealing, is something
that is fundamentally fueled by the exceptional
rate of poverty within the societal setting portrayed.
Time and time again, for instance, it is indicated
that Ricci’s demise isn’t all that
unique; indeed, it appears to be the prototype
for the sufferance that virtually all Italians
were experiencing during the period.
Reference:
Sica, Vittorio De (1949); The Bicycle Thief.
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