Haynes 2

1. Intertextuality is used to refer to other works. Pulp Fiction points to film genres and plays off of them, creating an original product. Safe uses allegory in have an element of the story stand for a greater social meaning, specifically AIDS.
Understanding the allegorical nuances of Haynes' style allows for a greater conceptual comprehension of his work. His use of allegory instead of straightforwardness allows the themes in his material to be relevant in more interpretive ways.

2. Carol's home is always the more prominent element in the frame. Her environment envelops and minimizes her appearance in almost every frame. The reference to Sirk comes in the visual statement that American suburban life stifles the individual and that appearances are often given more importance than humanity.

3. By setting it in the suburbs of the San Fernando Valley, Haynes comments on the side of society which typically chose to remain quiet about the AIDS crisis. He uses irony by implementing the same silence given to AIDS toward Carol's sickness.

4. He guides the audience through the film as a character who knows just as much as we do. He participates in the music scene the film explores. He also serves as an additional protagonist in his coming-of-age story.

5. Arthur's search of identity is highly influenced by Brian. Arthur's fantasy is a typical quest of finding "self" and using the factors around him to form a notion of who he is. Brian's fantasy is about self-expression after having already found who he is.

6. The gaps of time between 70s glam rock and the gray period of time depicted in 1984. In relation to Haynes' other works, AIDS discussion or reference is also curiously missing from the 80's portion of the film.