THE SIGNIFICATION OF THE COLOR RED AS SYMBOL BASED ON PATTI

BELLANTONI’S COLOR THEORY IN LYNNE RAMSAY’S FILM WE NEED TO

TALK ABOUT KEVIN: A SEMIOTICS ANALYSIS

THESIS

Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement to Obtain the Degree of Bachelor of Arts

Submitted by:

RIFALDI ADLIN

F1F014039

MINISTRY OF RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY AND HIGHER EDUCATION

JENDRAL SOEDIRMAN UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT
ENGLISH STUDY PROGRAM
PURWOKERTO
2019
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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Research Background

From the prehistoric time, many pieces of artistry have showed how human

developed interest in using some means of creativity to tell meaning; one of them is

through the use of color. Many mediums are used to transmit all this. One medium

that has showed a remarkable progress related to its use of color as a mean of

transmitting perception and idea is film. In film color can shape the entirety of a film

with creating the mood of the film. Color can also build harmony or tension within a

scene, or draw focus to key themes. Color can be used as association to certain

character, object, place, or theme within a film to create symbolism. It can also be

used as a transitional signal to the progression of plot or the development of a

character (Risk, Mary, 2016: 5).

One of the films that use color as its essence to tell its story is the Lynne

Ramsay’s 2011 film We Need to Talk about Kevin. In this film the theme is not

showed through actions or exposition, but rather though the use of color. Perhaps the

most noticeable element of the film is dominant present of the color red. This

omnipresent quality of the color put emphasize on the association of the color with an

underlining theme of the film. Therefore, this research will focus on analyzing the

signification of the color red as symbol. In order to do so, literary theory such as
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semiotics theory, color theory, and semiotic code that can provide explanation on this

topic of color in film and its meaning will be applied.

1.2 Research Question

The question needed to be answered in this research is: What does the color red

signify as symbol based on Patti Bellantoni’s color theory in Lynne Ramsay’s film

We Need to Talk about Kevin?

1.3 Research Objective

The aim of this research is to figure out the use of the color red as symbol in

the film and what it signifies based on Patti Bellantoni’s color theory.

1.4 Research Significances

There are two significances that can be taken from this research:

a. Theoretical significance

This research can give a better view and understanding about the

semiotic of colors and how it is used in film. In this case, in the film We

Need to Talk about Kevin. Although it is not limited to this one film alone,

this kind of research can be reconducted to analyze other films.

b. Practical significance

Through this research, people will have more knowledge about color,

its usage in effecting perception, and its meaning in a given context. This

knowledge then can be applied in many fields such as design, art, and

filmmaking
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CHAPTER II

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Pierce’s Theory of Sign

Peirce defines sign as a semiosis process which is based on the fact that the

study of meaning is not concerned only with a particular object and its signification

but also with how an object participates in semiosis, the sign relation (Peirce, 1931-

58: 5.475). The sign relation is further explained using a triadic model which has

three components: representamen, object, and interpretant. In the theory of sign,

Peirce also explains the division of sign that classify it as these three: Icon, Index, and

Symbol. Symbol is a sign that its representative is consist of a rule of conventionality

that will determine its interpretant (Peirce, 1992: 180). This type of sign can both

have universal convention while also strictly dependent on context .This is because

the different degree of knowledge about any particular thing that being denoted can

create huge variation of interpretant. The universal property of symbol refers to the

general interpretant a symbol can carry. This general interpretant is ruled out by

conventionality that has been acknowledged by the people in the world. This

convention can be in the form of any knowledge that is considered common.

2.2 Color Meaning

There are basically millions of colors in the world, but according to the blog

of the psychologist Angela Wright there are only eleven of those colors that have

fundamental psychological properties that are universal. Those colors are red, blue,
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yellow, green, violet, orange, pink, grey, black, white, and brown. Angela states that

each of these eleven colors has potentially positive or negative psychological effects.

Red, for example, has the potential to excite positive psychological effects such as

physical courage, strength, warmth, stimulation, and excitement, while also has the

potential to excite negative psychological effects such as defiance, aggression, strain,

and impact. An interesting experiment was done by Patti Bellantoni (2005) at the

School of Visual Arts, New York, which shows how colors have psychological

reaction in our brains. In the book If It Purple Someone’s Gonna Die (2005)

Bellantoni examines the use of six major colors in the spectrum. From his

observation, he found repeated emotional qualities of those colors that can be found

in films. In the first chapter of the book, he explores the emotional associations of the

color red, which he explains to have characteristics as follow: Powerful, Lusty,

Defiant, Anxious, Angry, and Romantic. Red, as Bellantoni noted, is like visual

caffeine, human eyes tend to see it first compare to all other colors in the spectrum.

When used in some particular ways, the color red can bring meanings to the scenes as

a visual story telling.

2.3 Cinematic Codes

Previously, theory of semiotic has been discussed, especially in the topic of

signs. From the explanation before, sign is defined as something physical or virtual,

perceivable by our senses, referring to something other than itself, and it ultimately

depend on its perceiver to have meaning. In the semiotic triangular model, a sign is
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composed of two aspects: the signifier and the signified. The signifier is the physical

existence of the sign and the signified is the concept created in the mind of the

perceiver. This system or arrangement of signs is called codes in semiotics study.

Codes, as explained by Chandler, provide a framework and organize signs into

meaningful system with correlating the signifier and the signified through convention

(Chandler, 2007: 147). Code can be represented in every form of communication, and

in the world of cinema, meaning is transmitted systematically by the elements of the

film. This code, cinematic code, becomes another essential aspect to study and

interpret films. Metz identifies codes as a system of meaning that contain both signs

and rules of conventions that determine how a form of complex massages is

conveyed. Codes are where semiotics and social structure connects. This is somewhat

true in the world of cinema. In film, there is a system that navigates how meaning is

conveyed to the audience. Furthermore, elements of film are constructed and

executed in such a way that makes the interpretation of the film can be narrowed to

some particular social structure (Metz, 1991: 4). Film has its own language that can

be understood, and through convention, meaning is created from the combined

elements of film.
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CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHOD

3.1 Types of Research

The type of research that is conducted by the researcher is qualitative

research. According to Mack et al, qualitative research is a type of research that

focuses on obtaining information on the subject of human culture and interaction

which may include values, opinions, behaviors, and social contexts (Mack et al:

2005). In the case of this research, the topic that going to be described is about the

human’s psychological reaction to colors, in particular red color, and the attached

meaning of that color within the context of a film. Then, in order to accomplish the

aim of this research, the data must then be elaborated and connected to the social

context outside of the film.

3.2 Data Sources

a. Primary Data

The primary data of this research is the film We Need to Talk about Kevin

(2011) by Lynne Ramsay. There is a lot of imagery that use the color red to

tell Eva’s perspective and there are also many scenes where the setting have

objects with red color in it or edited in such a way that saturated the red

atmosphere. Hence, the data will be taken from scenes of the film that contain

any red imagery.

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b. Secondary Data

The secondary data of this research is added to help the researcher to

accomplish the research objective. The secondary data is taken from journals,

books, articles, and online researches that can give better understanding on the

topic of sign, color meaning, and film theory, so that the analysis of this

research can be as clear and relevant as possible.

3.3 Data Collection

After having relevant data, collecting the data is the next important step in this

research. It has three steps to collect some information and also some proof that is

used by this researcher.

a. Watching the Film

The first step is watching the primary data thoroughly and repeatedly to

have a clear view of the film and also to find the evidences that can support

the research.

b. Collecting the Data

The second step is collecting the data from both primary and secondary

sources to find any information that can support the research.

c. Reducing the Irrelevant Data

The last step is reducing irrelevant data after examining the data that have

been collected from the collected data. Only some that are considered to be

the most relevant to this research are going to be used for the analysis.
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3.4 Data Analysis

The data analysis of this research will be done with the objective of answering

the research question of what does the color of red signifies in Lynne Ramsay’s film

We Need to Talk about Kevin? There are three steps in analyzing the data:

a. Data Categorization

The data that has been collected will be categorized based on what

signification it brings based on the theory of color as signs and psychology of

color.

b. Data Analysis

In analyzing the data, the theory of semiotics by Peirce is used to identify

the sign process, what types of sign are communicated, and what signification

do the sign create. Then in order to further explain the signification or the

meaning of the sign, the theory of color meaning by Bellantoni and others will

be added.

c. Data Conclusion

In concluding the data, all the processes must have been done thoroughly

based on the method of this research so that the expected result can be obtain.

From the finding of this research, conclusion which answers the research

question will be drawn.

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CHAPTER IV

DISCUSSION

4.1 Powerful Red

In this first part of the discussion, the relevant data that show the symbolism

of the color red as powerful which is the sign of Red Light is going to be discussed.

The word powerful has meaning of having great strength, prestige, or influence

(Merriam-Webster.com. In the context of the film this power refers to the massacre

that is done by Kevin. In the film, the moment when Kevin does the school massacre

is shown trough four flashback scenes. In these four scenes, the film shows what

happen outside and inside the gymnasium.

4.1.1 The Symbolism

The four different flashback scenes show how the event in Kevin’s

school is unfolding. In these scenes there is a reoccurring motif that appeared

in each of the flashbacks, that is the present of red light. This reoccurring

motif can be explained as a symbolism that represents Kevin’s action. There

are two ways that can be done to determine the interpretant of the symbols.

The first way is with examining the meaning of this symbol in the context of

the film alone. The second way is with correlating the symbol to the

convention that can be found in the real world.

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4.1.1.1 Contextual Interpretation

In this particular context of the film We Need to Talk about

Kevin (2011), the characters that appear in the four flashback scenes

are used as symbols that hold meaning that the audience can infer.

These characters are the students at Kevin’s school, the parents of

these students, and Eva, who is Kevin’s mother. First, the students at

the school are affected mentally and physically. Second, the parents of

the students are affected psychologically by the incident. Lastly, the

effect of Kevin’s action can also be seen on Eva. There are three

perceivable effects that Eva is seen to be enduring throughout the film.

First, Eva is affected psychologically, second, she is held responsible

by the society for the crime that she is not even committed, and third,

she also has to start over her life after the incident because she has lost

her house, her career, and her family. The contextual interpretation of

this symbol suggests that the red light is a representation of Kevin’s

influence over people’s lives.

4.1.1.2 Universal Interpretation

In the universal context, there are some conventions that are

related to this symbol. Moreover, in the book Dictionary of Symbols

(1971), J.E. Cirlot explained that the symbolism of light of any color is

corresponding to that color. In the study of psychology of color, the

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color red is known to have both positive and negative associations. In

the positive side, the color red is associated with stimulating, dramatic,

powerful, courageous, impulsive, demanding, and some others. In the

negative side, the color red is associated with overly aggressive,

violent, warlike, temperamental, danger, and some others. In the

universal context, the red light can convey the idea of something that

acts as a source of courage and power if it is interpreted positively and

violent and danger if it is interpreted negatively.

4.2 Defiant Red

Here the symbolism is in the form of sign of red-colored objects that appear

whenever Kevin shows deviancy toward Eva. The word defiant itself has meaning of

proudly or boldly refusing to obey authority (Cambridge Dictionary). In the context

of the film, the character that plays the part of the authority is Eva, Kevin’s mother.

There are in total of seven signs in the film that represent Kevin’s deviancy. These

objects are red ball, red plate, red ink, red bed, red crayon, red jam, and red clothes.

4.2.1 The Symbolism

The seven red-colored objects and the scenes in which they appear

show that these sign are used as motif to convey or signal Kevin’s defiant

behavior. These objects are specifically chosen and used as property or

wardrobe in some scenes that show Kevin’s attitude toward Eva.

4.2.1.1 Contextual Interpretation

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Here, it is found that there are seven objects in the film that are

used as symbol to represent the emotional traits of the character Kevin

toward his mother, Eva. In some scenes in the film that include Kevin

showing his defiant trait toward his mother, these red-colored objects

are used as property or wardrobe. The use of specific property or

wardrobe in film can emphasize the themes of the film, create

meaning, and also provoke thought of the audience (Moura, 2014).

Therefore this decision to place and use some red-colored objects in

some of the scene in the film can be considered as motif by the

filmmaker. Thus, it can be drawn that these red-colored objects are

used to represent the defiant behavior that Kevin does toward Eva

4.2.1.2 Universal Interpretation

Here it is found that five out of the seven objects do not have

conventions that specifically relate those objects with the idea of

deviancy. The two objects that have that convention are the red bed

and the red clothes. The red bed and the red clothes can be seen as

representations of the traits or behavior of the person using and

wearing it, so it can be said to represent the deviancy of that said

person. The other five objects have some conventions that are not
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directly correlated to the idea of deviancy, but they do give additional

explanation that supports the contextual interpretation.

4.3. Anxious Red

Here it is found that there is one sign that is used to represent the idea of

anxiousness. This sign is the red clock. The word anxious is defined as a state that

characterized by extreme uneasiness or brooding fear about some contingency, or

something that is characterized by, resulting from, or causing anxiety (Merriam-

Webster.com). There are two flashback scenes in which the red clock appears (from

01:15:02 until 00:15:15 and from 01:31:30 until 01:31:42).

4.3.1 The Symbolism

In the film (We Need to Talk about Kevin (2011), the ticking red digital

clock is repeatedly shown in some of the scene to excite the idea of anxiety

toward some contingency. In the context of the film, it is found that the red

clock is used as a motif to symbolize the anxiousness that comes from

anticipating Kevin’s action. The scenes in which the red clock appears

indicate uneasiness and worry, and because of that, it builds up anticipation

toward the possibility of Kevin doing something malevolent.

4.3.1.1 Contextual Interpretation

It is found that in both of the scenes the red clock is used as

property at the end of the scene. The use of specific property in film
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can emphasize themes of the film, create meaning, and provoke the

thought of the audience (Moura, 2014). In the film it is found that the

two scenes are intentionally created in such a way to excite the idea of

anxiousness. Through the manipulation of the elements of the scene,

the filmmaker conveys meaning beyond the surface level of what is

seen on the screen. Not only that, the progression of the story is also

providing important information in drawing the most relevant

interpretation. In the context of this film the interpretation is drawn

from analyzing the elements of the scenes, the role of the red clock

itself in those scenes, and also the correlation between the two scenes

and the progression of the story of the film. It is found that the most

relevant contextual interpretation of the symbol is that the red clock

stands as something that represent the anxiousness that come from

anticipating Kevin’s action.

4.3.1.2 Universal Interpretation

In the general context, clock is associated with time. It is also

common to interpret clock as symbol that represents the inevitable,

fate, and even death. Furthermore the red clock can also be associated

through its color. Through the evolutionary process, human brain is

hardwired to associate the color red with blood, which excites a

survival instinct. Therefore the color red is often use as a visual tool to
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elicit uncomfortable feeling and raise anxiety level (Bellantoni,

2005:2). The color red is effective in conveying anxiousness. Because

of its association with time and the color red, it can be drawn that the

red clock represents the idea of the anxiety in facing the inevitability

of time.

4.4. Angry Red

Here, it is found that there are two objects that stand to represent the idea of

anger. These objects are red paint and red cans. The word angry has meaning of

showing a strong feeling of displeasure and usually of antagonism or seeming to

show anger or to threaten in angry manner (Merriam-Webster.com). In the film We

Need to Talk about Kevin (2011), there are some scenes that show some moments in

which Eva is being threatened and antagonized. There are two scenes that show this

happening (from 00:04:41 until 00:05:09 and from 00:24:05 until 00:25:23) and in

those two scenes it is found that there are two objects that are used to symbolize this

anger which are red paint and red ink.

4.4.1 The Symbolism

It can be seen that the red paint and the red can that are shown in these

two scenes are used in a particular ways to convey or signal meaning beyond

their straightforwardness as objects. In the film We Need to Talk about Kevin

(2011), it is repeatedly shown how Eva is being hated by the parents of the

students that became the victims of Kevin’s action. The parents are shown to
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be resentful toward Eva; they intentionally abuse and bother her life. The film

uses symbolism to represent the anger that Eva has to face in the form of red

paint and red cans.

4.4.1.1 Contextual Interpretation

It is found that the red paint and the red cans are used visual

metaphor to show how Eva is constantly surrounded by anger. The red

paint and the red cans are shown to be surrounding Eva in two of

scenes in the film. First, the red paint is shown in the scene to be

surrounding most part of Eva’s house and car. It has been described

that the house and car are most likely vandalized by one of the parents

of the students that became the victim of Kevin’s action, so it can be

said the red paint is the representation of these parent anger toward

Eva. The filmmaker intentionally chooses red paint for the purpose of

exciting intimidation and threats as the red paint is almost identical to

blood. Then, the red cans are also shown to be surrounding Eva in the

scene in the grocery store. In this scene Eva is shown to be hiding

from one of the parents of the students that became the victims of the

massacre that Kevin did. Here Eva is hiding behind a shelf that is

filled with red tomato soup cans. She stands nervously in front of a

wall of red cans that fill the whole screen. The filmmaker also uses

medium close-up shot that slowly moves toward Eva to highlight

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Eva’s expression with the wall of red cans behind her. This is done as

a visual metaphor that shows how Eva is still always followed by

hatred and anger even when she is hiding.

4.4.1.2 Universal Interpretation

It is found that the red paint and the red cans, or specifically

the red tomato soup cans, have similar conventions that relate the

objects to idea of anger. The two objects are often associated with

blood because of their similarity in color and form. Red paint is

obviously red-colored and a liquid which is similar with blood. The

red cans in the other hand is associated not by the can itself, but by

their content. The red cans that are used in the film are red tomato

soup cans in which the tomato soup is commonly known to be in

liquid form and red-colored which is similar with blood. In the

theatrical world, it is common for a performance to use fake blood

made from any sort of red-colored liquid.

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CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1. Conclusion

Based on the research analysis, it can be concluded that the majority of the

symbols signify negative emotions. Out of the six characteristics that the color red

has, the film only utilizes four characteristics which include powerful, defiant,

anxious, and angry. Moreover, deviancy, anxiousness, and anger themselves are

negative emotions. While powerful is more often interpreted as positive emotion, in

the film the powerful red is used to showcase the dreadful influence that Kevin has

brought to other people. In order to amplify this theme the filmmaker utilizes the

color red to signify and create these negative emotions. Through the use of the color

red in many elements of the scenes such as lighting, property, and wardrobe, the film

intentionally focuses on making the audience feel uncomfortable. it can be concluded

that the color red that signifies power, deviancy, anxiousness, and anger is used to

build the theme of guilt and blame while also excite uncomfortable emotions to the

audience.

5.2. Recommendation

There are some recommendations that can be presented from the result of

the analysis. The first recommendation is about the other theories that can be applied

to analyze the film We Need to Talk about Kevin (2011). The second recommendation

is about the further application of the semiotic theory in literature.

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REFFERENCES

Bellantoni, Patti (2005). If It's Purple, Someone's Ginna Die. ELSEVIER Publication.

Chandler, D. (2007). Basics Semiotics (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge.

Circlot, J.E. (1971). A Dictionary of Symbols. London: Routledge.

Mack, Natasha et al. (2005). Qualitative Research Methods: A Data Collector's Guide.
Family Health international. Retrieved May, 2018. <
https://www.popline.org/node/263032/>.

Metz, Christian. (1991). Film Language: A Semiotics of the Cinema. University of Chicago
Press.

Moura, Gabe. (2014). Mise-en-scene. Elements of Cinema. Retrieved August, 2018.

<http://www.elementsofcinema.com/directing/mise-en-scene-in-films/>.

Peirce, Charles S. (1931-58). The Collected Papers of C. S. Peirce. Cambridge: Harvard.

Peirce, Charles S. (1992). The Essential Peirce: Selected Philosophical Writings, Volume 1
(1867-1893). Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

Risk, Mary (2016). How to Use Color in Film. Studiobinder. Retrieved February, 2018.
<https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/how-to-use-color-in-film-50-examples-of-
movie-color-palettes/>

Wright, Angela (1999).. The Beginner's Guide to Colour Psychology. Kyle Cathie Press.