Laura Mulvey

Throughout Citizen Kane, I found the glass ball to be of particular interest. I knew that it had to have some significance throughout the movie because of the opening scene with Kane's last words being uttered towards the object for a reason unknown to the viewer. With this in mind, I tried to keep alert for this motif throughout the movie, and Laura Mulvey addresses this motif in an interesting way, some ways in which I didn't notice as she delves into deeper meaning of the glass ball. Mulvey mentions how there are only three times when the glass ball appears, and I find it interesting that they contribute so much meaning to the film although it appears so little times, and one time it is almost unnoticeable. It shows in the beginning of the film, the scene of Kane's death, and at the end when Susan leaves him (it is not acknowledged as it sits on her dressing table). Mulvey points out that the narration between Susan and Kane almost foreshadows the meaning of the glass ball in terms of Kane's connection to it. Kane mentions his mother, and this is only one of two times he mentions her revealing nostalgia for the past. The sled represents Kane's childhood and the only time in his life he was truly happy. I never realized this subtle link to Kane's past as the glass ball is present without acknowledgment by Susan, Kane, or the camera.