Citizen Kane
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When the film opens, Charles Foster Kane is deceased. The only knowledge we obtain of Kane is through descriptions by his former friends and lovers. As a young boy, Kanes mother suddenly sent him away to live with a banker named Walter P. Thatcher. This type of estrangement from his parents at such a young age certainly caused Kane many problems socially and emotionally. He pretty much despises his guardian Thatcher throughout his whole life and refuses anything Thatcher tries to tell him. As Kane grows older, he obtained a substantial amount of wealth from Thatchers inheritance and the newspaper company he established. With all this wealth came power, but surprisingly Kane had virtually no emotional security. Kane became a very narcissistic man in which both of his lovers ended up leaving him because of it.
Since we only see Kanes personality through others perspectives, we never really fully learn who he truly is. We know enough about him in order to conclude that he is a man who deserves some empathy. He has a void in his life that he is trying to fill with entities and material goods. Because Kanes character is so complex, it is hard to name if he is a hero or villain. I believe he was the hero because they emphasized him overcoming many obstacles since he was a young boy.
Jedediah Leland is the next main character in the film. He is perhaps one of Kanes most loyal friends throughout his life. Leland and Kane formed a connection when they decided to publish a newspaper together. From the start Leland doubted Kanes ethics. The mens principles started to clash early on in their partnership. Leland argues with Kane over the corrupt way they manage their firm. He feels disgusted when Kane stole the entire editorial staff of their rival newspaper. Leland is a very mature man in that he still tries to secure his morals without ruining his relationship with Kane. Even when Kane fired Leland, he sent Kane back the “Declaration of Principles” that Kane signed in an attempt to encourage him that he can still change. In the film, Leland would be considered a hero because he stuck with Kane and believed in him when a lot of people didnt.
Susan Alexander Kane is at one point Kanes mistress and then later his wife. The two met in a very unconventional circumstance; Susan had a terrible toothache and Charles Kane was splashed with mud on the side of the road. He made her laugh