What is the meaning of the opening scene in Citizen Kane?

What is the meaning of the opening scene in Citizen Kane? - Woods Covered With Snow

In the opening scene of Citizen Kane, there are phantasmagoric scenes showing monkeys and in another a statue of a cat and in another a sort of ancient pyramid. What is the meaning of these strange landscapes?



Best Answer

The images are of Kane's estate in Florida, called Xanadu, where we see his dying moment. Described in the newsreel in the movie as being "The world's largest private pleasureground", containing a private zoo, museums of art works, golf course, gondolas as well as his home.

Not sure what 'meaning' can be ascribed to these images, other than it shows the ridiculous wealth and isolation of Kane, behind his fence with the 'No Tresspassing' sign and the estate being unfinished and falling in to disrepair.




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What is the meaning of the opening scene in Citizen Kane? - Walkway between overgrown trees on snowy land and anonymous people under light sky in winter city
What is the meaning of the opening scene in Citizen Kane? - Group of People Sitting on Concrete Bench
What is the meaning of the opening scene in Citizen Kane? - 3 Men and 2 Women Sitting on White Bench



What is the significance of the opening scene in Citizen Kane?

It is a defining moment for Kane, the last vestige of his childhood before being torn from his family, and the scene serves as the inciting event of the film.

What is the message from Citizen Kane?

The Difficulty of Interpreting a Life The difficulty of interpreting a person's life once that life has ended is the central theme of Citizen Kane.

What is the first line of Citizen Kane?

the opening prologue including the shot of media tycoon Charles Foster Kane's (Orson Welles) estate of Xanadu and the uttering of the mysterious word "R-o-s-e-b-u-d" (the film's first line) by the giant rubbery lips of a dying, mustached man as a crystal globe/ball of a snowy scene (of a snow-covered house) fell from ...

Why is there a screaming bird in Citizen Kane?

After much speculation from people on its symbolism, Orson Welles admitted that he put it in there to wake up any audience members who might be dozing off.



Kane Opening




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