Essay Questions

What is the symbol of Ben's trumpet?

Ben is a musician, but in the film we only see him with his instrument once. The opening scene of the film we watch as he is trapped into a corner of a room while everyone else enjoys themselves to the music. Ben's trumpet becomes a symbol of the fact that he has a talent that he is not nurturing. His focus is consumed on things that do not relate to getting better at his craft, thus there is a correlation to this and to him as a human being not growing in his day to day life for lack of effort.

What is the bigger meaning when Hugh is called off stage at the club in Philadelphia?

Hugh's set is cut short in Philadelphia as he is taken off stage for a group of dancers to begin to perform for the crowd. The meaning in this is that the people aren't interested in the pure type of music that he desires to play. Instead, they want to look lustfully upon the women; unfortunately for Hugh, the women keep people in the seats and keep them buying drinks. He doesn't.

What does Ben's experience with the statue at the MET symbolize?

Ben is at the MET with the boys and Tom is on a rant about how the people who run the museum don't know anything about art. While this is happening Ben is looking intently at a sculpture. We see that he is deeply moved most likely for reasons he cannot describe. And the symbolism in this is that words will not always have the ability to cut to the core of a person. This can only come from an openness to the art itself which Ben has created between himself and the piece. And which Tom has not.