A 5 page review of the film Citizen Kane (1941). The writer argues that two themes predominate in this film and are intrinsically connected with Kane's mind and soul, love and power. Summarizing the story, the writer uses examples from Kane's life to argue this point and show why Kane made the choices that he did, which resulted in his tragic life. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Name of Research Paper File: D0_khkane.rtf
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role, the film portrays the life story of a newspaper mogul, Charles Foster Kane. Even though Kane is rich and powerful, it is a tragic narrative. An examination of Kanes
story demonstrates the struggle that is a persistent factor within Kane, thereby facilitating understanding of why Kane consistently made choices that produced terrible and tragic consequences for himself and those
involved with him, throughout his long and complicated life. Two themes are predominate in Citizen Kane and are intrinsically connected within the mind and soul of Charles Foster Kane
-- power and love (Magills Review). In a newsreel about Kane, the viewer learns of his humble origin. His mother, Mary Kane, ran a boarding house. The Kane fortune was
established when a defaulting boarder leaves behind a supposedly worthless deed to an abandoned mind shaft, which proved to be the worlds third richest gold mine (Dirks). In view of
the position in society that such wealth indicates, Mary Kane is persuaded to give up her son to the guardianship of a New York law firm, Thatcher and Company, under
the presumption that this move will enable Kane to be raised in a manner befitting his wealth. However, from the childs point of view, he is ripped away from his
home. On reaching the age of twenty-one, Kane assumes control of his fortune, but only one of his holdings has any interest for him -- a small New York newspaper,
The Inquirer (Magills Review). Kane takes charge of the newspaper and builds it into a publishing empire. Referring to himself as a tireless "champion" of the people, who will defend
"their rights as citizens and as human beings," it quickly becomes clear that Kane is already on a track that leads to "progressive journalist to megalomaniac" (Lehmann 45). The viewer