REPRESENTATION OF KEY CHARACTERS The Wickerman (1973)

Themes The Wicker Man, is very male centered, with notions of femininity in it. - Dark undertones - Theme of deception

Lord Summerisle This character is shown to be powerful and dominant. This is shown through the use of proxemics, when Howie and and Lord Summerisle talk in his mansion, he literally sits higher than Howie, in a taller chair; this is a literal and a metaphorical symbol of dominance. This represents Lord Summerisle as authoritative, confident and facetious. Making the audience view him as arrogant. The setting in which Lord Summerisle surrounds himself in, is a reflection of his character. Outside his mansion there is numerous phallic-shaped hedges in his garden. This is a reaction to the previous decade where there was a lot less controversy when displaying individual freedom and expressing original approaches to art. This is something that is associated with celtic paganism but to the regular audience, it appears mildly disturbing. This represents Lord summerisle as powerful, he is in charge of the community and is the original influence.

High Priest Summerisle He is the main antagonist along with Lord Summerisle his other character. He ensures tradition is maintained and enforces religion upon peers. He would connote a deranged cult leader Towards the end of the film he is demonstrated as dangerous and irrational; a psychopath. He is willing to sacrifice an innocent, good man, in order to save crops. He will not be convinced to second guess his religion, even when he is aware he is wrong, E.G. When Howie tells him the crops will fail anyway, regardless of the sacrifice and gives a valid reason. The audience views High Priest Summerisle as determined; he will not rest until he succeeds in his mission.

Willow - ‘The Siren’ The character Willow, is the landlords daughter. She is presented to be the “temptation” or the “sex appeal” within the film. In the beginning of the film, Howie enters the pub and all the men sing crued songs about her implying her provocative nature in order to suggest how well she treats the customers. This becomes more evident when she does a sex ritual and dance in order to lure Howie into her room and stay the night. This represents Willow as seductive and fits well with the typical/cliche set character theme of the promiscuous pretty girl. Although she may appear to reflect the additional set theme ‘dumb blonde’, it becomes more evident throughout the film that he has secret agenda - she is working with others in order collectively sacrifice Howie.

Miss Rose - High Priestess/Teacher Demonstrated as a very assertive character with her Freudian teachings; phallic stages etc. Howie establishes her avoidance to answer questions, however the audience see her smug attitude; she is forcing him and clearly presenting information that leads him to ask certain questions...