What is the relevance of this in The Machinist?

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In the movie The Machinist, Ivan shows that he lost his fingers and they were replaced with his toes. Given Ivan was not real, what is the relevance of the toes replacing the fingers? Does it stand for some kind of metaphor?



Best Answer

Ivan's features are the representation of Trevors's normative masculinity, from brightlightsfilm

Ivan’s size and shaved head are notably phallic, but the most striking feature is his hand. To know more about Ivan, Trevor follows him to a bar where they sit, drink, and chat about life. This is where Ivan reveals his deformed hand. He apparently had an accident years prior and lost fingers. To repair the hand, they subsequently had to take “a big toe from [his] left foot and a pinky from [his] right. [This] is why [he] walks with a limp.” Ivan further admits that he cannot “shuffle cards like [he] used to, but the ladies sure like it,” while wiggling his finger in a sexually suggestive manner. In other words, Ivan sacrificed his gait to maintain his ability to please women.




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What is the point of the movie The Machinist?

In short, The Machinist is the story of Trevor, a well-to-do guy, who happens to be driving carelessly one day trying to light his cigarette. Failing to notice a red light, he runs over and kills a little boy. Seeing the boy's mother distracted in shock and agony, Trevor makes a run for it.

What does Ivan represent in The Machinist?

Ivan represents Trevor free of guilt, free of noble inclinations--the alterego of Trevor in the movie and the prince in "The Idiot."

Why does Ivan have toes in The Machinist?

To know more about Ivan, Trevor follows him to a bar where they sit, drink, and chat about life. This is where Ivan reveals his deformed hand. He apparently had an accident years prior and lost fingers. To repair the hand, they subsequently had to take \u201ca big toe from [his] left foot and a pinky from [his] right.



Metaphors of The Machinist - Whats It All About?




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