Sound (DBATB)

How is sound used in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly to create meaning?

 1.) The fantasy sequence (Where Jean-Do imagines the butterflies birth and moments from his life)
- The music in the key sequence starts of triumphant and uplifting as we see the birth of a butterfly       this reflects him realising he still has his imagination. This quickly changes as the following images   are of him skiing and on a beach surfing. The music becomes more emotional and sad to reflect his     realisation that he cannot do any of these things anymore.
- The pace and rhythm of the non diegetic music reflects the sense of progression we see visually as     the butterfly emerges and begins its life. Goes from triumphant and uplifting imagination. to sad and   emotional.
- The music becomes more expressive and louder as the sequence develops to reflect the scope and       sweep of Jean dos imagination and memory.
- the sound forms a sound bridge at the end to show us that he is thinking about what we have just         seen.
- The voiceover shows that his articulation, power and expression in his voice within his head are         also untouched by his paralysis like his eye.

2.) The shaving scene (Papinou's apartment)
- Lack of music shows the lack of emotional contact between the father and son. The way he does it     quickly and fast paced shows it is a duty that he has to do. Very cold relationship.
- The lack of music in the first scene at jean do fathers apartment creates and austere impression of        his apartment. forces the spectator to focus on the minimally expressive dialogue between the two      characters.
- The lack of emotional connection is clear due to the parallel sound.
- The relationship of his dad and him is cold and less loving than a son and mother relationship.

3.) The Fathers day sequence
- Slow Jazz music has been used as it it light hearted and up-lifting. Waves and wind can be heard.       the giggles of his children make it more light hearted than the situation actually is. Contrapuntal    sound.
- The music at the end of the fathers day sequence is melodic jazz which at first compliments the           upbeat family beach scene and even the rather dark humour of jean do describing himself as a             zombie. This is further highlighted by laughter and giggling.
- As the scene ends and jean do is taken from his family the music almost fades out into silence            creating a bleak and stark end to the family outing.

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