Significance of glass-smashing?
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ArianwenPendragon — 21 years ago(March 30, 2005 06:56 PM)
They do the same thing with blowing out candles when they find the council has fled, so it's not just destroying their wedding gift. To me, it started as Guildford trying to get Jane to 'let go' and not be so serious, but it ended up as the equivalent of wishing before blowing out birthday candles or the like. When Mrs Ellen comes in, Guildford instantly sees the humour in it, while Jane tries to stay composed briefly, though when she bursts out laughing, he's finally succeeded in getting her to let loose. Also, I think at first, it's almost a test on Guildford's part, since Jane told him at their first dinner together 'Don't you dare' when he toyed with the idea of breaking the glass, and he's trying to show her that not everything is serious, etc.
If none of this makes any sense, I apologise, as it's quite late and I shouldn't be posting when I'm this tiredlol
Regards,
Arianwen -
estella2 — 19 years ago(April 14, 2006 12:21 AM)
i know this might sound stupid, but i saw it as the birth of new ideas and wishes. when i saw it reminded me of the breaking of a bottle on a new vessel or the stomping of a glass under a chuppah at a Jewish wedding.
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Pumpyjones — 14 years ago(August 31, 2011 01:28 AM)
I thought of it as a Jewish wedding thing, but that's my frame of reference (I'm Jewish). For those who don't know, it's supposed to symbolize the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (and some say the breaking of the hymen). I think both references would apply here, since they wanted to destroy the temple/Catholic church as it existed then.
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galapooza — 20 years ago(September 16, 2005 09:19 AM)
If you remember the line Guilford said prior to the glass-breaking scene, something about the brain being like glass (fragile), perhaps the breaking of glass symbolizes political and religious ideas held at that time, or even powerful people at that time in England. Perhaps the scene symbolizes the people's uncertainty of their own convictions, and also their tenuous loyalty to religion.
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Luanna255 — 17 years ago(November 09, 2008 05:44 PM)
Which brings me to MY feelings on the glass breaking:
First of all, I agree that it probably symbolizes Jane letting go and having more fun, etc.
But personally, my first thought was this: They've just been having a long discussion about how the economy is going down the drains, and now they're smashing hugely expensive glasses? Meaning that they'll subsequently have to buy new ones, effectively sending the money from the original set of glasses down the drain? Not to mention that they're making a terrible mess of wine and broken glass for the servants to clean up? Rich little brats! -
sueveh — 17 years ago(November 09, 2008 06:01 PM)
After watching this scene again, I had to laugh, with Guilford pouring wine as Jane looks on, I imagine her horrified after the wedding scene, saying "oh no, he's at it again." As far as the glass smashing, it was a covenent between them, a seal of faith, a melding of souls, espousing all that they believe in and dream of for England.
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