Orson Welles’ cinematic masterpiece, “Citizen Kane,” has left an indelible mark on the history of filmmaking. Released in 1941, this groundbreaking film is a testament to the creative possibilities inherent in narrative storytelling.
One of the most striking features of “Citizen Kane” is its non-linear narrative structure. Rather than presenting the life story of Charles Foster Kane in a conventional chronological order, the film employs a fragmented narrative that weaves in and out of various points in Kane’s life. The story is told through the memories and recollections of multiple characters, creating a multi-layered, complex narrative that invites the viewer to piece together Kane’s enigmatic life. This non-linear approach allows the audience to experience Kane’s life in a way that mirrors the process of memory and recollection. Just as we recall events and moments from our past in a disjointed and non-linear manner, so too does “Citizen Kane” mimic this inherently human way of remembering. This narrative technique immerses the audience in Kane’s world, challenging them to engage actively with the story, much like detectives piecing together a puzzle.
Welles cleverly uses the concept of unreliable narrators in “Citizen Kane” to deepen the narrative complexity. The film features multiple characters recounting their perspectives on Kane’s life, each of them biased by their own relationships and experiences with him. These narrators include Jerry Thompson, the newsreel reporter; Mr. Bernstein, Kane’s loyal business partner; and Susan Alexander Kane, his second wife. These differing accounts of Kane’s life create a multifaceted portrayal of his character, as no single character’s version of events can be taken as definitive. By doing so, Welles invites the audience to engage critically with the narrative, prompting them to question the authenticity of the narrators’ testimonies and to draw their conclusions about Kane’s enigmatic character.
The use of non-linear narrative and unreliable narrators in “Citizen Kane” also underscores the film’s thematic significance. The film deals with timeless themes such as ambition, power, wealth, and the corrupting influence of success. The narrative form enhances the exploration of these themes by mirroring the fractured and elusive nature of Kane’s own life and his search for happiness and fulfillment.
Hey Leo, really great critical analysis of this week’s feature. I think the non-linearity of the narrative structure aids the overall theme of entrapment for Kane. From the beginning of his unchronological story, he was left outside (metaphorically and physically; outside the window in the snow, symbolizing his relation to being enclosed in the snow globe) of this triangular relationship between his mother, father, and their lawyer. Although these individuals were deciding his future, he was kept apart from the conversation. With this film being solely delivered through unreliable memory fragments of different people with differing opinions about Kane– the viewer is left with this unfinished and underdeveloped puzzle regarding his life regardless of his relevance in the news– it seems that everyone was unaware of his true character. I too, agree that this deepens the narrative complexity, with an intentional skew of temporal relations it plays a crucial part in unconventional story building and allows the flow of story information to reflect the wider narrative and story of tribulations leading to Kane’s developing a want for wealth, not realizing that riches does not obtain, establish, or upkeep personal relationships or negate social responsibility.