MovieChat Forums > Lady Jane (1986) Discussion > Significance of glass-smashing?

Significance of glass-smashing?

posted 20 years ago by Thalassax2
10 replies | jump to latest

I'm so glad there are other people out there who are thinking about this film. I've recently been watching it on DVD, after loving it for twenty years, and I can't get it out of my head!

I've always wondered about the scene where Jane and Guilford, in their newly-discovered state of bliss (yes, I know they didn't fall in love in reality, but where would the film be without it?) tell each other of their greatest wishes while throwing 'glass goblets' full of wine over their shoulders. Does anyone have any theories - or is the meaning actually very obvious, and I'm simply missing it? Is Guilford pledging to stay off the drink, is Jane throwing off her inhibitions, are they openly defying their parents by destroying the Duke's wedding gift ... and what does it all have to do with 'what do you want?'? Oh, and when I played the scene to my rather bright eight-year-old and asked for her opinion, she (probably very sensibly) remarked: 'Oh, they're just being stupid teenagers!'.

I'd love to hear others' opinions - thanks.

[–] kixie-poo 20 years ago

I somehow saw it as them breaking free from their parents' wishes and going for what they wanted instead of what their parents wanted them to do.

If you were waiting for the opportune moment... that was it.

[–] ArianwenPendragon 20 years ago

They do the same thing with blowing out candles when they find the council has fled, so it's not just destroying their wedding gift. To me, it started as Guildford trying to get Jane to 'let go' and not be so serious, but it ended up as the equivalent of wishing before blowing out birthday candles or the like. When Mrs Ellen comes in, Guildford instantly sees the humour in it, while Jane tries to stay composed briefly, though when she bursts out laughing, he's finally succeeded in getting her to let loose. Also, I think at first, it's almost a test on Guildford's part, since Jane told him at their first dinner together 'Don't you dare' when he toyed with the idea of breaking the glass, and he's trying to show her that not everything is serious, etc.

If none of this makes any sense, I apologise, as it's quite late and I shouldn't be posting when I'm this tired...lol

Regards,
Arianwen

[–] estella2 19 years ago

i know this might sound stupid, but i saw it as the birth of new ideas and wishes. when i saw it reminded me of the breaking of a bottle on a new vessel or the stomping of a glass under a chuppah at a Jewish wedding.

[–] Pumpyjones 13 years ago

I thought of it as a Jewish wedding thing, but that's my frame of reference (I'm Jewish). For those who don't know, it's supposed to symbolize the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (and some say the breaking of the hymen). I think both references would apply here, since they wanted to destroy the temple/Catholic church as it existed then.

[–] nomanor_jr 20 years ago

You have one smart sister.

[–] galapooza 19 years ago

If you remember the line Guilford said prior to the glass-breaking scene, something about the brain being like glass (fragile), perhaps the breaking of glass symbolizes political and religious ideas held at that time, or even powerful people at that time in England. Perhaps the scene symbolizes the people's uncertainty of their own convictions, and also their tenuous loyalty to religion.

[–] bumbullb 19 years ago

back then glass was a very expensive thing so it showed true wealth. when they are breaking the glasses, it sybolizes that they do not care about their wealth, only about what they believe in.

[–] Luanna255 16 years ago

Which brings me to MY feelings on the glass breaking:
First of all, I agree that it probably symbolizes Jane letting go and having more fun, etc.

But personally, my first thought was this: They've just been having a long discussion about how the economy is going down the drains, and now they're smashing hugely expensive glasses? Meaning that they'll subsequently have to buy new ones, effectively sending the money from the original set of glasses down the drain? Not to mention that they're making a terrible mess of wine and broken glass for the servants to clean up? Rich little brats!

[–] sueveh 16 years ago

After watching this scene again, I had to laugh, with Guilford pouring wine as Jane looks on, I imagine her horrified after the wedding scene, saying "oh no, he's at it again." As far as the glass smashing, it was a covenent between them, a seal of faith, a melding of souls, espousing all that they believe in and dream of for England.

[–] ducklacy 19 years ago

I thought it was that the glass was a wish expressed. Once made the glass is full of the wish and can be emptied. Once the glass is broken, you can't empty it or take it back and the wish becomes reality.