Shape Theory:
The Underlying Thematic Significance of Shapes
Dexter was a series on Showtime about the life of a forensic analyst who is also a prolific serial killer. Dexter is a anti-hero in a sense because although he murders some every episode, he only hurts people who deserve it, and is also a contributing member of his community, a supportive friend, and a loving brother to his sister Debra. The intro to the show highlights the contrast between Dexter's surface normalcy (though a stylized portrayal his morning routine) while also hinting at his inner darkness...
Circles
Circles are shapes with no edges or corners, features that connote a sense of repetition and inevitability. In the clip. circles are present throughout in various incarnations. The first circle seen is a drop of blood from Dexter who cuts himself during shaving. The blood drop represents the inevitability of death, more specifically Dexter's mortality as it is shows he is just an ordinary man like everyone else, creating a false notion of his innocence (as we later find out). The other circle seen are in the sinkhole cover. These round shapes within one another further support the idea of infinite suffering as there will always be pain in life, evident by its placement next to the blood drop, implying that pain and mortality are inescapable. As the clip progresses, Dexter cracks an egg into the frying pan, revealing the circular egg yoke. This imagery plays with the idea of birth, the birth and revealing of Dexter's true self as he is indeed a serial killer. Throughout the various seasons of the series, Dexter's personality changes as his relationship with killing evolves; at some times he is cynical and emotionless, at others he was full of righteous vengeance. Thus, the egg can also symbolize Dexter process of rediscovering himself.
Squares and Rectangles
These are shapes with clearly-defined edges that create a sense of separation between internal and external spaces. There are two clear example of rectangles in the introduction to Dexter. The first comes from when he cuts himself shaving and uses tissue to stop the bleeding. The camera zooms in and we see a rectangle half soaked in blood, with the line of red steadily moving to right, washing out the white part. Because they are so rigid, rectangles and squares often denote stability and honesty. Apart from having to murder people regularly, Dexter is an upstanding member of his community; a caring boyfriend, a conscientious worker, and considered to be an all-around 'good' guy. The rectangle might represent how Dexter blood lust must be contained within the rules he makes for himself. The second obvious rectangle is viewed when Dexter is cutting up strips of ham for frying. Dexter's killing style is extremely methodical and clean; he wraps his victims in cellophane, chops them into pieces which he disposes in the ocean. The neat rectangular slices of meat evoke the ultimate fate of Dexter's targets.
Squares and Rectangles
These are shapes with clearly-defined edges that create a sense of separation between internal and external spaces. There are two clear example of rectangles in the introduction to Dexter. The first comes from when he cuts himself shaving and uses tissue to stop the bleeding. The camera zooms in and we see a rectangle half soaked in blood, with the line of red steadily moving to right, washing out the white part. Because they are so rigid, rectangles and squares often denote stability and honesty. Apart from having to murder people regularly, Dexter is an upstanding member of his community; a caring boyfriend, a conscientious worker, and considered to be an all-around 'good' guy. The rectangle might represent how Dexter blood lust must be contained within the rules he makes for himself. The second obvious rectangle is viewed when Dexter is cutting up strips of ham for frying. Dexter's killing style is extremely methodical and clean; he wraps his victims in cellophane, chops them into pieces which he disposes in the ocean. The neat rectangular slices of meat evoke the ultimate fate of Dexter's targets.
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