Parasite | Important Motifs

In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for Parasite, we look at important motifs that help us understand the film. 

Cast

• Mr. Kim – Song Kang-ho
• Chung-sook – Jang Hye-jin
• Kim Ki-woo (Kevin) – Choi Woo-shik
• Kim Ki-jung  (Jessica) – Park So-dam
• Mrs. Park – Choi Yeon-gyo
• Mr. Park – Lee Sun-kyun
• Park Da-hye – Jung Ji-so
• Park Da-song – Jung Hyeon-jun
• Gook Moon-gwang – Lee Jung-eun
• Oh Geun-sae – Park Myung-hoon
• Min-hyuk – Park Seo-joon
• Written by – Bong Joon-ho, Han Jin-won
• Directed by – Bong Joon-ho

Important motifs in Parasite

Stairs

Stairs serve as a major visual motif in Parasite. They symbolize someone’s ability to move upward or downward, depending on the situation. Stairs are the bridge between the world the Kims inhabit and that of the Parks. When we go to the home of the Kims, the stairs take us down and down. When we go to the Parks, we ascend. This physically embodies the economic differences between the two families and adds an aspect of physicality to the transition from one world to the other. Even in the Park home, the stairs to the basement lead to the bunker, which is the lowest point in the home and the place occupied by the home’s parasite. 

The scholar’s rock

Min gives Ki-woo a scholar’s rock as a gift, explaining that it’s associated with wealth. Almost immediately after, Min offers Ki-woo the job of teaching English to Park Da-hye. This would become the most lucrative job of Ki-woo’s life. And, for a time, lifts his entire family out of poverty. He even has visions of dating Da-hye and establishing himself in this upper level of society. He could be Min’s peer. He could marry into the Park family. He could make something of himself. 

Ki-woo associates all of this good fortune with the scholar’s rock. Especially when things turn difficult after the encounter with Moon-gwang and Geun-sae and the storm. Ki-woo clings to the stone because he’s fearful of losing the path to this better life. He even decides that to mend fences with Moon-gwang and Geun-sae that he’ll give them scholar’s rock. It’s a naive, well-intentioned moment, as he truly believes that the gift could satisfy the former maid and her husband in the aftermath of the fight Ki-woo’s family had with them. The attempt to give the stone leads to Geun-sae’s escape and the loss of Ki-jung, Mr. Park, and Mr. Kim. To put a cherry on top, Geun-sae slams the scholar’s rock into Ki-woo’s head. The very thing that was supposed to save, ends up derailing all. 

Homes

There’s a stark visual difference between where the Kims live and where the Parks live. Early on, Parasite establishes the cramped living quarters the Kims make do in. It can be pretty claustrophobic for the viewer, even if the family manages. This creates a stark contrast when we reach the Parks. The openness and sheer size of the home quells whatever tension we had from the Kims. The juxtaposition between these places throughout Parasite begins a cycle of tension and release, tension and release, that finally snaps when things in the Park home veer from good to bad. That space is no longer accessible and we’re left in the cramped quarters of the Kim home, feeling like the walls have closed in on Ki-woo’s life.  

What are your thoughts?

Are there more motifs you think should be part of the Colossus Movie Guide for Parasite? Leave your thoughts below and we’ll consider them for the guide.