C.S. Lakin uses the film Babe to explore symbolism and how to use it to underline your theme. “Symbols are generally a visual object, but they can also be a thought, idea, phrase, or gesture,” she says. “But the great thing about symbols is they pack a lot of meaning in a simple way. When you use a symbol as a thematic element, you want it to reappear numerous times throughout your novel.”
In Babe, the gate at Hoggett’s farm is a recurring symbol. “Hoggett’s aim is to have the gate close with a gentle touch and lock with the least amount of extra effort,” Lakin explains. “Likewise, he wants his farm to run smoothly, and part of that involves his dogs herding the sheep into their pens for various reasons. When he sees how Babe has acquired a knack for herding these sheep effortlessly, his attention rivets on the humble swine. Here is a pig with a destiny—with a purpose.”
By the end of the movie, the gate closes perfectly and Babe has fulfilled his destiny as a sheepherder. “This theme is huge when you realize the movie is not about a pig that just happens to have some special skills,” Lakin says. Rather, the theme is about finding a purpose in life, something people struggle with daily.
