The NeverEnding Story
What would life be like without imagination and romance? Imagination is a key part in life. It lets you explore new ideas and be creative. Romance is very important, because without romance, how would any of us be here right now? Romance and Imagination are the two key components in The NeverEnding Story.
To start out with, imagination in The NeverEnding Story is the driving force, because the whole movie is pretty much based on fantasy. Bastian is the boy who borrowed The NeverEnding Story from an old man, after the old man told him that the book is dangerous. While Bastian is reading the book he can feel all the emotions, feelings, and actions that Atreyu has. If our world didn’t have imagination we probably wouldn’t have half the stuff we have today.
On the other hand, romance is the mode that structures The NeverEnding Story. In the beginning there is a mild conflict as Bastian is being chased by three boys on his way to school and when they caught him, they threw him in the dumpster. After this happens he hides in the bookstore, and Bastian asks about a book that he sees but Mr. Koreander, the bookstore owner, tells Bastian that it is not safe. Bastian takes the book and leaves a note promising that he’ll return it. He runs to school, hides in the attic and starts reading The NeverEnding Story. While Bastian is reading the book, a boy named Atreyu is asked to put an end to the Nothing. Later on, when Atreyu goes to the Swamp of Sadness to see Morla, Atreyu’s horse is bombed with sadness and sinks into the mud.
Finally, the symbols in The NeverEnding Story are the AURYN, The Nothing, and The Ivory Tower. The AURYN is the mystical talisman that is a symbol of the mistress, who is The Child Empress. The AURYN grants wishes and can only be used with the permission of the Empress. The Nothing represents the evil devil-like spirit that is killing everyone’s imagination in Fantasia, and The Nothing made the Empress ill. The Ivory Tower represents hope, which is where the Empress lives.
In the end, imagination and romance are what brought this whole movie together, because it lets yourself escape into a fantasy world with your imagination, and your romance- for the stuff you love, all in one.
