Joshua Dominguez

11/29/14
Red Group
Citizen Kane Summary
Citizen Kane; directed by Orson Wells is the story of a newspaper publisher from the 1920s
named Charles Foster Kane, and the mystery of his last word; Rosebud. This film centers around the
overarching theme of small possessions having a great impact on ones daily lives. The first scene of the
movie is inside of Charles Foster Kanes large estate in Florida called: Xanadu. It shows Kane lying on his
death bed, the moment before he dies he utters a singular word which is; Rosebud. The camera pans
away from Kane covered in a sheet on his bed, and plays a newsreel breaking the news that Kane had
died. It acts as a lengthy obituary, showcasing many of Kanes achievements, from acquiring the New
York Inquirer, to having a significant influence on the public regarding WWII. As the newsreel fades out,
the boss of the television company talks to one of the producers about Kanes last words and what it
means. He sends Jerry Thompson to talk to some of Kanes former acquaintances including his second
wife, Susan Alexander Kane, and some of his close friends. He also visits a bank that houses a memoir of
one of Kanes former guardians, which mentions nothing about Rosebud. Contrary to the memoir
almost all of Kanes acquaintances mention him saying Rosebud, during a time of stress. Thompson
never finds out the meaning of Rosebud, but the final scene the film shows grounds workers burning a
sled that Kane had since he was a child, and that was always with him throughout his rough childhood in
which his mother kicked him out of the house, and sent him to live with a man in Chicago. On the side of
the sled was one word printed in red letters; Rosebud. Kane mentioning this small possession during
his most stressful moments in life shows the effect that this sled had on his complex, and very
meaningful life.

Joshua Dominguez
11/29/13
Red Group
Historical Setting and Aspects of American Society Portrayed
The time period portrayed in the movie Citizen Kane, had a surplus of yellow
journalists, including William Randolph Hearst, the real-life journalist that the character of
Charles Foster Kane is based off of. These journalists had incredible power, similar to Kane in
the film, Hearst used the expansion of his newspaper chain to further his political ambitions,
though without the same level of success as his media empire(History of American Journalism,
Kansas University). The movie successfully portrayed this by showcasing Kane gaining political
power based on his influence on the public from his fame in the newspaper industry.
Journalists at this time period also possessed a massive influence over the public when it
came to foreign affairs. During the Spanish-American war for Cuba, Hearst and Pulitzer
devoted more and more attention to the Cuban struggle for independence, at times
accentuating the harshness of Spanish rule or the nobility of the revolutionaries, and
occasionally printing rousing stories that proved to be false(U.S. Department of State, Office of
The Historian). Orson Wells creates the similarity by reporters asking Kane his opinions on
WW2, and how much the U.S. should be involved. The film, Citizen Kane accurately portrays
journalists from this time period, and their effect on the public.
Joshua Dominguez
11/29/30
Red Group
Cinematographic Techniques Used In the Film Citizen Kane
Orson Wells uses various cinematographic techniques to create in an effect in the movie
Citizen Kane, including camera movement, and music. The beginning of this film contains a very
ominous tone, which is largely due to the way the cinematographer chooses to move the
camera. The scene begins inside of Kanes seemingly abandoned estate, in which Kane is on his
deathbed. Kanes estate is to be perceived as eerily empty, and the camera movement that
showcases this is an aerial shot that gives the user an idea of the grandness of his estate, but at
the same time it also gives the viewer an idea of its emptiness.
The music used in this movie amplifies specific moments throughout the movie. One of
the turning points of the movie is when Kanes mom kicks him out of the house and sends him

to Chicago, and Orson Wells conveys Kanes sadness as a result of this decision by choosing to
play music that ultimately makes the reader feel sad with the character, allowing for a deeper
understanding of the plot. Wells also does this during the first scene of the film when Kane
utters his final words. Suspenseful music is plays, allowing the viewer to anticipate this having a
bigger meaning throughout the film.