Kat's Car
Kat's car is an important image in the film, as it stands out among the other students' cars at school for being noticeably old and in bad condition. Notably, however, Kat and Bianca are not without financial security – they live in a large house and their father is an obstetrician. Thus, Kat's car becomes an extension of the image she wants to cultivate for herself: that is, one that rejects social trends and rebels against what people expect of her.
Padua High School
Padua High School, where the film is set, is a markedly ornate school. With sprawling fields, a hilltop location, and elaborate gothic architecture, the school does not look at all like a normal American high school. But the plot of the film is not a normal plot of an American teen film. On the contrary, it is based on a Shakespearean comedy, and the image of Padua High School comes to reflect that history.
The Sisters' Bedrooms
Bianca and Kat are, for most of the film, portrayed as complete opposites. Their bedrooms reflect this disparity, as Kat's room is full of dark colors, concert memorabilia, and reading material while Bianca's room is pink and hyper-feminine. The sisters' private spaces become reflections of the characters, but the fact that they live in the same house showcases how the sisters' competing personalities can eventually coexist.
Music
Music plays an important role in the film, as it is not only a passion of Kat's but is also used to denote difference throughout the plot. In scenes where Kat is being particularly contentious, the soundtrack plays rebellious songs like Joan Jett's punk anthem "Reputation." When Patrick gets Kat's favorite band to play at prom, it signifies a marriage between Kat's rebellious side and her desire to be part of her high school's social life.
