Theme7


 * __[[image:notebook.jpg align="right"]]THEME__**

The main theme of “The Notebook” is:
 * **True love can overcome any obstacle**

This theme is shown by the main characters Allie and Noah.

Allie is from an upper-class, high society family. They live in a time where reputation is everything. Who you know and how much money you have, is more important that who you are. Allie is expected to go to College, marry a handsome upper-class man and be a docile and obedient wife.

Noah Calhoun from the lower-class and earns ….an hour at the lumber yard. He has no real prospects of making it rich or ever leaving Seabrook. Allie and Noah fall in love but are then separated by Allie’s disapproving family and later the outbreak of World War II. When they meet again several years later Allie is engaged to Lon Hammond (a rich cotton grower). The couple still have strong feelings for each other however and end up resuming their relationship. Allie chooses true love over social expectations.

The fact that Allie chooses Noah over what society expects of her shows the theme. True love can overcome any obstacle, social prejudice and family meddling can not keep them apart. At the end of the film an elderly Allie and Noah end up dying together in a nursing home. After their deaths viewers see an image of white geese flying towards the sunset. Earlier in the film Allie told Noah she wanted to be reincarnated as a bird. This event shows theme as the power of their love allows them to be together even in death.


 * __TECHNIQUES WHICH SHOW THEME:__**
 * Setting
 * Contrast (juxtaposition)
 * Symbolism
 * Dialogue

The setting of 1940’s America helps show theme as it gives viewers an understanding of the social climate and prejudices Allie and Noah have to face. They have to overcome the obstacle of social class difference in order to be together. The fact that they succeed in this shows the theme the power of true love.
 * __Setting__**

Contrast between Noah and Allie helps indicate to viewers the different social status of each character. Noah and Allie have to face prejudice and expectations in order to be together. The contrast in their characters helps highlight the power of true love – they overcome these challenges to have a life together. A specific technique which shows this is the juxtaposition used in the opening scene.
 * __Contrast__**

An important symbol in the film is the use of white geese. The geese appear throughout the film and only when Noah is present with Allie. To Allie the geese represent love and freedom, particularly the freedom she feels with Noah. She also states that she wants to be reincarnated as one. When she is with Lon Hammond, her upper-class fiancé she feels restricted and bound by the strict rules of high society. She does not have the freedom to be herself. The geese show the theme of the power of true love as they are only present when she is with Noah. When Allie chooses Noah over her fiancé she is symbolically choosing true love. This action and symbol therefore show the power of true love.
 * __Symbolism__**

The dialogue the characters use also helps show the theme of the power of true love. This is particularly shown in the ending scene before Allie and Noah pass away. Allie asks **“Do you think our love can take us away together?”** Noah replies **“Our love can do anything we want it to”**
 * __Dialogue__**

This dialogue helps show the theme as Noah and Allie both pass away at the same time that night. Their love not only overcomes social prejudice but also death.