Definition: Repetition is a literary and rhetorical device involving the repeated use of words, phrases, or structures to emphasize a point, create rhythm, and enhance memorability. In film, repetition is deliberately reusing certain elements, such as scenes, dialogues, images, or motifs.
Repetition in movies serves various purposes, including emphasizing themes, enhancing emotional impact, creating symbolic meanings, or drawing connections between different narrative parts.
Directors and screenwriters use repetition in dialogue, scenes, and motifs to enhance storytelling.
By repeating elements, you can guide viewers’ interpretations and deepen the storytelling experience.
Table of Contents
Examples of how Repetition is used in Movies
Below are examples of how repetition appears in famous movies across different categories:
1. Dialogue, monologue and writing
Repetition in character communication emphasizes key themes, reinforces character traits, and ensures memorable lines, aiding in viewer engagement and recall.
“Fight Club” (1999)
“The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club. The second rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club.”
– Tyler
This repeated line, spoken by Brad Pitt’s character Tyler Durden, emphasizes the secretive and exclusive nature of Fight Club, helping to establish its cult-like allure.
“Finding Nemo” (2003)
“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming”
– Dory
Dory, voiced by Ellen DeGeneres, uses this cheerful mantra to encourage herself and others to keep going despite difficulties. The repetition of the phrase reinforces its motivational message.
“The Shining” (1980)
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”
Jack (on a typewriter)
The repeated line “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” is discovered by Wendy, which indicates Jack’s descent into madness. This repetition adds to the tension and horror of the film.
“Taxi Driver” (1976)
You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? Then who the hell else are you talkin’ to? You talkin’ to me? Well, I’m the only one here.
– Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro)
The repetition in the iconic “You talkin’ to me?” quote from “Taxi Driver” emphasizes the character’s isolation, aggression, and escalating delusion, enhancing the tension and memorability of the scene.
Read more about dialogue in movies.
2. Scenes
Repetition in movie scenes highlights themes, emphasizes emotional states, and reinforces character development or plot points for deeper impact.
“Groundhog Day” (1993)
This film is a classic example of repetition. The protagonist, Phil, repeatedly relives the same day. This repetition is used to comic effect but also allows the character to grow and change.
“Edge of Tomorrow” (2014)
Like in “Groundhog Day,” the protagonist, Major William Cage, repeatedly relives the same day, learning more about survival and defeating the alien enemy. The repetition is used for both action sequences and character development.
See also the best time loop movies for more examples.
3. Motifs
Repetition in movie motifs reinforces themes, evokes emotional responses, and creates a cohesive narrative structure, enriching the storytelling.
“Psycho” (1960)
The repeated motif of birds, especially stuffed birds, and references to birds are used throughout the film to symbolize various themes, including predation and the characters’ psychological states.
“Inception” (2010)
The spinning top is a recurring motif used to question the nature of reality and whether the protagonist is dreaming.
Read more on motifs in film.
4. Music and Sound
Repetition in music and sound, like leitmotifs, creates thematic unity, evokes emotions, and reinforces film narrative elements.
“Jaws” (1975)
The iconic, repeating two-note motif in the film’s score heightens the suspense and has become synonymous with impending danger.
“Star Wars” series
John Williams’ use of leitmotifs, recurring musical themes associated with particular characters, places, or ideas, such as the “Imperial March” for Darth Vader, helps to reinforce the narrative and emotions related to the characters and story.
Read more about sound design in movies.
5. Symbolic Repetition
Symbolic repetition is a literary device that emphasizes or reinforces a theme, idea, or feeling by repeatedly using symbols throughout a film.
In this context, a symbol represents, stands for, or suggests an idea, visual image, belief, action, or material entity.
Symbols can be cultural, such as a cross symbolizing Christianity, or personal and unique to the specific narrative.
The symbols are used once and repeated at strategic plot points within the narrative to draw attention to specific themes or ideas, making them more prominent and memorable for the audience.
“The Godfather” series
The use of oranges in scenes preceding death or violence becomes a symbolic repetition, associating the fruit with impending doom.
You might also enjoy the best Godfather quotes.
Conclusion
Repeating dialogue, scenes, or motifs can emphasize key themes, underscore character development, and create a sense of unity within the film’s structure.
Repetition also aids in building tension, foreshadowing pivotal moments, and drawing attention to subtle shifts in the narrative or characters’ arcs.
Moreover, it can evoke a sense of familiarity and comfort, inviting audiences to delve deeper into the film’s layers with each recurrence.
Up Next: What is a Red Herring? Meaning and Examples from Film and Literature
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