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Villainless quest: Myth, metaphor, and dream in “Chariots of Fire”;

1983; Routledge; Volume: 31; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/01463378309369516

1746-4102

Martha Solomon,

Literature, Film, and Journalism Analysis

Since the British produced film “Chariots of Fire”; was extraordinarily appealing to American audiences, this essay explores the rhetorical factors which underlie its popularity. The essay argues that: (1) the central characters symbolize the two contradictory facets of the American Dream described by Fisher, both which are reaffirmed; and, (2) the film depicts multiple romantic quests, all of which end successfully. These two strategies make the film function metaphorically and mythically for an American audience to provide emotional catharsis and psychological reinforcement.