Meshes in the Afternoon Analysis

A strong theme in Meshes of the Afternoon is the interplay between shadow and light. In numerous instances, shadows are utilized along with bright light to form a stark minimalist picture of the events occurring in the scene. This is utilized in numerous instances to both portray and add mystery to the events occurring in the shot, in the early film we do not actually see the woman full on, only portraying her shadow and the shadows of the objects she interacts with. This could be seen as symbolic of an internal emptiness, as well as potentially a dark personality or a symbol of the later appearing "grim reaper".

In the later film, much focus is put a mysterious, hooded figure who the main actress pursues throughout the film. She mostly only catches glimpses of him, however the obvious symbolism of a figure in a dark cloak is that of the grim reaper. His presence in the early and mid parts of the film also foreshadows the main actress’s death at the end of the film. There is also a notable segment where the “reaper’s” face appears to be a mirror; this further foreshadows her death by cutting herself with a glass fragment.