Symbol is a tragic tale of a character looking to find meaning in a world that has given up looking for meaning within him. Discarded by society as outside the conventional norms, Percival becomes obsessed with symbols in a desperate attempt to understand his relationship with society. One senses his hostility comes from trying to love a world that doesn't care about him at all. In an ironic and unfortunate way, it feels that if the world did love him, his hostility would grow even more, as the world would be unable to love him in the manner that he so desperately needs and wants.
Percival grows more and more frustrated with the direction of society as the film progresses. He doesn't understand how people could be happy with such a mundane existence. In some ways, his indictment of society for all it's foibles and lack of understanding is justified, in other ways, it's a hostile reaction towards society trying to turn him into somebody he isn't. It's an interesting take on human psychology, in his current state, society disregards him, if he changes to a person that society deems acceptable, he would be unable to accept himself. It's a very human feeling. Perhaps someone who has been in a relationship where they truly loved somebody, but realized their love would only be returned if they turned into somebody they hated would fully understand this dilemma.
As Percival turns more inward and away from society, he grows crazier and crazier. His need for symbols becomes his only attraction to society. Everything else he does is with a quiet disdain for all
Percival grows more and more frustrated with the direction of society as the film progresses. He doesn't understand how people could be happy with such a mundane existence. In some ways, his indictment of society for all it's foibles and lack of understanding is justified, in other ways, it's a hostile reaction towards society trying to turn him into somebody he isn't. It's an interesting take on human psychology, in his current state, society disregards him, if he changes to a person that society deems acceptable, he would be unable to accept himself. It's a very human feeling. Perhaps someone who has been in a relationship where they truly loved somebody, but realized their love would only be returned if they turned into somebody they hated would fully understand this dilemma.
As Percival turns more inward and away from society, he grows crazier and crazier. His need for symbols becomes his only attraction to society. Everything else he does is with a quiet disdain for all
