Matthew Jimenez 28 September 2019

GAH.1055.001/Fall 2019 Film Assignment #3

Harold and Maude

Hal Ashby

I. Thesis: The film Harold and Maude directed by Hal Ashby, tells the story of Harold, a young

man infatuated with death, who befriends Maude, a quirky 79-year-old. Throughout the

movie, Maude not only teaches Harold about life, but how to live it to the fullest.

II. Body Paragraphs / Examples

A. The tree: At one point in the movie, the couple find a dying tree in the sidewalk, which

they decide needs to be saved by planting it in the woods. On a literal level, Maude was

teaching Harold to live life on the edge by stealing the tree and a car, speeding, and

running from the police all to plant the tree. But, much like the tree, Harold was dark and

dying, but Maude gave them both a second chance at a more colorful life.

B. Soundtrack: The anthem of this film was “If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out” by Cat

Stevens, which is played countless times in the film in both the background and by the

characters. The line: “If you find a new way, you can do it today,” best relates to Harold’s

situation because once he meets Maude, she teaches him a new way of life, which he

eventually adopts.

C. Harold only talks to Maude: In the scenes where Harold is with his mother, she is usually

the one doing all the talking. This shows that he does not enjoy being in her presence,

which is the exact opposite of when he is with Maude. Not only does he talk to her, but
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he expresses feelings. When his is with Maude, it is the only time he is seen smiling and

being loving. At one point he breaks down in front of her, something he would never do

in front of his mother.

D. His appearance changed: Once it is obvious to the audience that Harold and Maude are

romantically involved, Harold’s face goes from a pale white, to full of color. He is also

seen wearing white clothes, which symbolize life, the opposite of what his old personality

emulated.

E. End scene: After Maude successfully killed herself, Harold is seen speeding down roads

(something he didn’t do before he met Maude). The final scene of the move shows

Harold flinging his Herse off a cliff, which symbolizes him killing his old, dark and

morbid self. This is solidified by him dancing away from the cliff while playing the banjo

as the credits roll.

III. Conclusion: With the Help of Maude, Harold’s identity took a 360. He went from someone

who had an obsession with committing morbid staged suicides he “enjoyed being dead,” to

someone to who likes sunflowers and creating music.