The Idea of an Essay, Volume 3

146 The Idea of an Essay: Volume 3 view, but could only be found in the beliefs of the Republicans. Finally, the rose, which was a powerful symbol of immortality in the film, is also the symbol of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), a faction of the Republicans. The PSOE was a leftist party whose members demonstrated various degrees of extremism. The party held a significant portion of power before the Spanish Civil War, but was outlawed under Franco’s regime. The party was once again legalized when Spain became democratic in 1977. The rose is a common symbol among socialist groups. Its red color is said to represent the struggle against “physical poverty”, and its form as a flower symbolizes the struggle against “spiritual poverty” (Grandqvist). The dual symbolism of the rose in Pan’s Labyrinth and in the real world suggests that the film utilized the rose to imply that the Republican forces would bring lasting peace and prosperity to Spain. Through the use of symbolism, director Guillermo del Toro is able to use his film Pan’s Labyrinth as an accurate metaphor for the Spanish Civil War and life under the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. Spain and her people experienced many severe trials during this period, but was able to overcome them and see the birth of a new and lasting democracy. Spain’s escape from the stifling ideology of fascism is a testament to human resiliency and the power of hope to guide people through the darkest of circumstances. Works Cited Deaver, Jr., William O. “El Laberinto Del Fauno: Una Alegoria Para la Espana Democratica. (Spanish).” Romance Notes 49.2 (2009): 155-165. Literary Reference Center. Web. 13 N o v . 2014. “Francisco Franco.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014. Gallego, Ferran. “Fascistization And Fascism: Spanish Dynamics In A Eeuropean Process.” International Journal Of Iberian Studies 25.3 (2013): 159-181. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Nov. 2014. “General Francisco Franco”. HistoryLearningSite. co.uk . 2014. Web. Grandqvist, Elias. “Socialist Rose Emblem.” Flags of the World. CRW Flags, 7 Aug. 2001. Web. 15 Nov. 2014. Gómez, Carlos López. “Europe As A Symbol: The Struggle For