she goes to Connor’s place of employment. As Mia waits outside, she is unaware of the
numerous blue cranes that tower above her. This scene carries depth because it illustrates
the artificial social constructs that surround Mia. Her body language is vulnerable and the
idea that she seems unaware of these machines reflects the idea that she is unaware that she
has been mentally conditioned by culture, yet it looms over her. These cranes are somewhat
of a phallic symbol representing a patriarchal order.
Mia’s expectations of men and their role stems from social conditioning. Jeanne
Dubino writes on the topic of how culture has conditioned females to have expectations of
men based on romance narratives, “The hero is always older, taller and richer than the
heroine, and usually moody, dark, and inscrutable” (Dubino 103). Dubino further explains
that the romances lead to eventual marriage. This is seen in the case of Connor: he is much
older than Mia and his identity is a mystery. This mysterious identity is what ultimately leads
to Mia’s disappointment.
When Mia realizes that she cannot have a relationship with Connor when she
recognizes he has been hiding the fact that he has his own family and he reminds her of their
age difference, this creates hostility within Mia. Mia is upset with Connor for pointing out
the cultural constructs that classify their relationship as taboo. When he reminds her that she
is fifteen years old, Mia replies, “What does it matter if you like someone?” Connor does not
answer her question.
These cultural ideas of love ending in happiness and fulfillment, fabricated by social
conditioning, reflect a theme that the audience can identify with. Phonetically, the name Mia
has connotations of “me,” thus allowing the audience to identify with the protagonist. Mia’s
name represents the ideas that females are inundated with from social conditioning, many
that may not be conscious because they are so subtle. The name Connor also carries
connotations. Rendering from the theme of a man rescuing a woman in fairy tales, he has
“conned,” or misled, Mia into believing that he would bring her fulfillment, love, and
security.
Director Andrea Arnold uses elusive elements of the fairy tale and romance motif
throughout the film. Connor brings Mia, her sister, and her mother into a pastoral setting.