Later on, he meets Philip in a bar, who will become his new partner. When the main character enters, he takes the hat off. When he starts singing to ask Philip to become his coworker to help him with the circus, he puts back his hat. Then, when it’s Philip’s time to decide if he takes the offer, Barnum takes the hat off again, because “he’s not in charge of the situation”. At the end of the movie, when Barnum gifts the circus to Philip, we see Philip dressed as “the greatest showman”, but he’s missing the hat. However, it will be given to him directly by Barnum, showing that he’s not in control anymore, and he’s passing the lead role to Philip. 

So we see repeatedly during the movie this idea of “the one wearing the hat, is the one in charge”. 

The prop is a box of love letters that Lara kept hidden for a long time, writing the names and addresses of each boy she once loved. This act shows how real and deep her feelings were, because she imagined sending them, but never did. The letters weren’t meant for the boys though, but for herself, a quiet release of feelings she couldn’t express aloud. Writing became her way of closing a chapter, expressing love without risk or rejection.

The letters embody secrecy and unspoken love, revealing emotions she can't voice, while tracing her journey of growth. Each letter bridges past and present, preserving the fragments of who she was at every stage. Writing the letters allowed Lara to release her hidden feelings, but true growth comes in confronting them. In the end, she realizes that the boys she thought didn’t care actually did, and that maturity is facing the truth of both her emotions and her past

In conclusion, the letters are more than paper, they are a mirror of Lara’s inner world, a record of secret emotions, and a bridge between past and present. As a prop, they transform private longing into a visible testament of growth, love, and the courage to face one’s own heart.

The main character, Katniss Everdeen, is forced to volunteer for the Hunger Games, where she knows she has almost no chance of surviving the bloodbath. As a reminder of her district, her home, she takes a mockingjay pin with her,  a bird she often hears singing in the forest where she hunts. As it may seem a pretty piece of jewelry, the pin soon takes on a much deeper meaning: it becomes the spark that will grow into the fire capable of bringing down President Snow’s dictatorship.

The mockingjay is the unexpected result of the Capitol’s own creation. Jabberjays, designed for surveillance, were abandoned when they were no longer useful, under the assumption they would die out in the wild. Instead, they paired with mockingbirds and produced a new species. Their existence became a quiet but constant reminder of the Capitol’s failure to control everything. Out of that history, the mockingjay grows into a powerful emblem, as they are a living proof that overcoming challenges can give the districts hope in their struggle for a better future. Also, their ability to echo human voices makes them a symbol of resilience and the refusal to be silenced. When she takes on the mockingjay pin as her signature, at first,  the bird is just a subtle insult to the Capitol inside the arena, but by the end of the series it evolves into an unstoppable force that destroys it, making Katniss a living embodiment of the bird's symbolism.

This prop defines not only Katniss’ identity and her role in the revolution, but shows the power of symbols in driving social change.

In the case of Inception, the characters know that they are entering an artificial dream, but can sometimes get lost in them. To avoid losing track on reality, they choose a "totem", an object that behaves differently inside and outside dreams. The main character, Cobb, uses a spinning top. If it stops spinning after a few seconds, he is not dreaming. If not, he is in an alternate reality.

But this top is not only a tool. It is a symbol. Cobb's wife died in the real world, and she sometimes appears in his dreams. This "totem" is not only a way of knowing if he is really there, but also a representation of his doubt and his need to be in control, because even if he knows his wife is dead he cannot trust himself to understand she is not real. He needs this outside object to confirm what he inside does not want to acknowledge.

In the last scene, Cobb goes back home after finishing his mission and spins the top. Then he sees his children, and prefers to go with them and forget it in the table. He will not know (and neither will we) if he is dreaming or not, because he has chosen to live and enjoy the moment, whether it is real or not.

At the beginning of the movie, Harry Potter discovers that Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban. Harry is warned to be careful because Sirius is coming after him.

Harry and his friends attend to class and, one day, in a class about Mythical Creatures, he creates a bond with Buckbeak, Hagrid’s beloved hippogriff. At the end of this class, Buckbeak is provoked by Draco Malfoy, and the creature attacks him. The hippogriff is sentenced to death because of this.

In the climax of the film, Harry finds out the truth about Sirius and that he is a good person wrongly judged and imprisoned. When Harry and Hermione discover that Sirius, who is also Harry’s godfather and the only family he has left, is going to be handed over to the Dementors, they use the time-turner to go back in time and intervene in the death sentences of Buckbeak and Sirius with precision and care.

The time-turner not only helped them, but it also became a symbol of control over time, making Harry and Hermione understand the immense responsibility that comes from altering the course of events.

At first, it is presented as the forge of the dwarfs, conquered by Smaug. While the film advances, we can see Smaug swimming in the treasure under the mountain; this being a symbol of insanity and paranoia due to the burden that possessing the treasure has.

It is mentioned that whoever possesses its wealth, will be driven mad through greed and corruption. This transforms the evil dragon that guards it creating an uncontrollable influence over it.

The treasure symbolises power and wealth as well as the scale and danger of the duty that Bilbo has to fulfil; stole the Arkenstone from the dragon's lair. It also reflects Smaug's identity and power being the source of the character's arrogance.

Bilbo's venture into the Hoard is an example of vulnerability and it happens to be the main tension of the movie, the ability of not being controlled by gluttony.

When the dwarfs manage to conquer the treasure, Thorin suffer's the "dragon's sickness" or in other words this greed and corruption that Smaug suffered before hand. Some of the effects of the treasure were making him avaricious and selfish, causing him hallucinations with the treasure and becoming a mirror of destructing greed.

As a resolution, throughout the trilogy, it is demonstrated that the true value of Erebor (dwarfs' kingdom) is not the treasure or material possessions, but kinship and union against common enemies.

This skull belongs to a former slave of his, of course, as tipically seen in the age this movie is based on (the Old West), his slave was african-american. With the help of the skull, Mister Candie explains how human skulls vary depending on the race, because, as he says, the area of submissivenes is larger in the skull of african men than of white men. He then holds a hammer and explains to Django (a black man) that, no matter if he is a free man or a slave, his skull has the same characteristics, proving he will always be inferior to the white race.

This skull therefore becomes a symbol for white superiority, which Candie uses to belittle Django and intimidate him, asserting his power as a white man.

In this film, John Keating (Robin Williams) become the teacher of a group of students in a very strict boarding school (Welton Academy). In contrast to the rest of the teachers, Mr. Keating uses unusual measures to teach poetry and encourages their students to enjoy life as much as they can with the main topic of the film Carpe Diem.

This fragment of the film has a very meaningful prop, the flowered crown. This crown is used before by Neil in the film when he performed Punk in the play "A Midsummer Night’s Dream".

Neil has always had the dream to become and actor, however his father doesn't agree and force him to study in order to become a doctor. Thanks to the motivation of Mr. Keating, Neil decides to comfort his father by auditioning to the cast of the play. He finally got the role and performed as Punk, wearing this crown. Everyone attended the play, including Neil's father. Neil made a fabulous performance and everyone is enthusiastic about it except his father. Neil come back home and had a huge argument with his father who tell him that he has to move to another school and that he won't be able to see his friends and Mr. Keating again.

Now, talking about the prop, Neil decides to commit suicide due to all the pressure he has and the inability to achieve (or at least try to achieve) his dream. Before killing himself, Neil puts Punk's crown on his head. That may look insignificant, but it can have different meanings.

First of all, it can be a reference to Jesus Christ's death. In this biblical episode, Jesus Christ is forced to wear a crown of thorns before being executed by Romans.

Secondly, the similitudes between Neil and Puck, both of them are playful, naughty, clever and above all a symbol of freedom.

Thirdly, it can also be conceived as a way of coronating himself, Neil recognizes himself as being brave enough to be free despite the fact that he has to kill himself so as to achieve it.

"Sinners" is set in the Mississippi Delta in 1932, a place and time marked by Prohibition, the power of the Ku Klux Klan, and deep racial tension.

The plot is about two brother gangsters 'Stack' and 'Smoke', who came back to his town with the dream of opening a blues bar. Soon, his plans are truncated due to a vampire attack and the reveal of his cousin hidden talent in the opening night.

Sammie, one of the protagonists, is given the guitar by his cousins, Smoke and Stack. They tell him that it once belonged to the legendary Delta bluesman Charley Patton, although it really belongs to Sammie's father.

The guitar have different metaphorical meanings along the film.

Fisrtly, he film uses the guitar to tie Sammie to the deep lineage of Black musical tradition: Blues, spirituals...

By mentioning Charley Patton (even falsely), it connects Sammie’s experience to the origins of the blues.

The guitar is with Sammie through traumatic events: the vampire attack, violence, loss. Yet, he keeps it even when it breaks. It’s like a totem for what he’s been through, a choice of memory, choosing to remember what was gained and lost due to his music and actions.

Sammie’s father, a preacher, warns him off blues and music, seeing it as “sinful.” The guitar is part of Sammie’s identity that stands against that religious, moral pressure, as a symbol of resistance, it could also be related with black americans oppression happening during that time.

Finally, the guitar is also a symbol of dualism between good and evil. In one hand, it is responsable of making he music that attract Remmick (Antagonist vampire), but also the weapon used to kill him.

As a resume, 'Charley Patton's guitar' is one of the main props in the film, it guides us through different themes such as religion, music, resistance, repentance, legacy or even redemption.

The prop is a golden, armored glove created to unify the power of the six Infinity Stones: Space, Mind, Reality, Power, Time and Soul. Them together, dive the ability to manipulate the existence with a snap of the fingers.

Depending on the character, it may have different meaning for each one. For Thanos, represents his vision of "balance" in the universe, because he tries to prevent overpopulation and suffering but in a wrong way. It symbolizes the aboslute power and the moral dilemma between protecting lives or playing God. The "Snap" erases every living beings, and it marks one of the darkest turning points in the Universe of Marvel.

It has more symbolic meanings, like arrogance and control because it shows the believing of one person who thinks that knows what is best for everyone. Also sacrifice, the Avengers and Thanos must sacrifice one person to use it.

In conclusion, the Infinity Gauntlet in Avengers: Endgame stands as a weapon of destruction (for Thanos to impose his vision) and a tool of salvation (for the Avenger to restore hope). Its final use by Iron Man, proves that the best strenght is not conquest, it is the courage to sacrifice for all.

Symbolically speaking, these objects exhibit the characteristics of Katniss' personality: fighter, brave, and meticulous. Katniss is an independent, fearless young girl, who is responsible for holding up and caring for her mother and little sister Prim in the 12 District of the dystopian post-apocalyptic country Panem. But the bow and the arrow not only allow her to hunt what she needs to feed them, they are also responsible for her survival in the Hunger Games (a brutal spectacle led by the Capitol in which she voluntarily participates to avoid the death of Prim). 

Curiously, her ability to handle these objects was inherited from his deceased father. In fact, her original arrow was handly-crafted by him. This way, these props could as well symbolise the indelible legacy; sign of survival, family and heritage.

However, as stated before, the bow and the arrow may also display her unique personality. We rarely see Katniss killing her arena opponents with a knife, her hands or a gun–which might represent more violent tools to kill. On the contrary, she uses her bow and her arrows as a way for surviving in the cruelest environment, where she does not fit at all. She repudiates the Capitol's cruelty and selfishness, and, as a response, she develops her strategic play within these objects in her attempt to make justice and restore peace. In the end, they become a representative emblem of the rebellion against the Capitol.

Eventually, and formally speaking, the way these objects are represented are in alignment with her attitude, values and costume. Naturally colored–mainly brown–, they recall the ecofeminism of Katniss' philosophy, characterised by the avoidance of gender stereotypes and care for nature. This way, she becomes a frugal heroine, profoundly identified by these elements, which also appear in the poster of the film.

What are your opinions on these props? Is there something you would add? 

Thank you for reading!

Juan Carlos

The prop is a round shield with concentric red and white rings and a blue center with a white star. Its simple but striking design makes it recognizable everywhere. Unlike other weapons, it is created mainly to defend, showing that Captain America’s mission is to protect and inspire rather than destroy.

For Steve Rogers, the shield represents courage, duty, and the defense of justice. For his enemies, it symbolizes the power of resistance and the strength of the Allies. It is also a symbol of sacrifice, since Captain America uses it until his last mission when he crashes the plane into the ice to save the world.

Symbolically, the shield stands for hope, morality, and protection. It shows that true strength comes not from domination but from defending others.

In conclusion, Captain America’s shield in The First Avenger is more than a weapon: it is the essence of Steve Rogers’s character, a sign of resilience, sacrifice, and the fight for freedom.

One theory is that the suitcase is actually Marcellus Wallace's soul. He sold it to the devil in order to be a successful gangster. This is a valid theory because at some point during the film, they seem to open the suitcase by using the code "666" which is said to be "the devil's number". Also, there are moments in which we can see a scar behind his neck, indicating the the soul was removed from there.

Another theory is that the suitcase contains diamonds. In Tarantino's 'Reservoir Dogs', there is a jewellery shop robbery, and this is said to connect the two films, like parallel universes.

The third theory is similar to the second one, saying that the suitcase is Elvis' gold suit from 'True Romance', a movie wirtten be Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott. A character named Elvis wears a gold suit that could be identical to the gold inside the suitcase, confirming everyone who says that all of Tarantino's films are connected.

There are many crazy theories about the suitcase in Pulp fiction, but the most intriguing fact is that everyone can create their own theory and explanation, since the director himself encourages us to use our creativity about this arbitrary prop in his film.

A clear prop in this movie are his drumsticks, which won't be only musical tools, but they become a symbolic element that captures Andrew's essence and obsessive personality.

These drumsticks appear constantly in the film. The protagonist carries them everywhere: in his bag, to his constant practices and he will even hold them when he is not playing the drums. They emphasize the idea that drumming dominates his life, everything revolves around it.

As a result, the drumsticks can be taken as a symbol of Andrew's dedication. They can be considered the physical representation of his obsession of becoming great by constantly practising.

They are present in moments of paramount importance in the film. For example in scenes in which the spectator is shown Andrew's practices, where he would even provoque his fingers and hands to bleed but still will keep working; or for instance the moment in which he has a car accident but still goes to practice. The drumsticks being present in those moments show his obsession and determination, representing that no matter what happens in his life, he will just keep thinking about drumming.

In conclusion, we can appreciate that these drumsticks are not only part of the instrument, they become a representation of Andrew's obsession, adictions, sacrifices and identity, always tied to his desire of becoming succesful.

The piano in "Casablanca" is an essential element throughout the entire movie. It is an object that carries several meanings.

The movie takes place during World War II in "Casablanca" a city that works as a shelter for the people fleeing from the Nazis. The protagonist, Rick, is the owner of the Café where the piano is kept. As the story unfolds, we will discover that the piano has a special meaning for him as it is the intrument that was used to play Rick's and his ex-lover's song. A song that is now forbidden due to the bitter memories that it carries for Rick.

In the movie, Ilsa (his ex-lover) comes to the Café with her new husband, and she will ask Rick for help in escaping from Casablanca. This situation will bring back memories for both of them in which the piano is a central element.

On the one hand, it is the place in which Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) hides the passports that will help Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) and her new husband escape from the country and control of the Nazis. So, it symbolises the possibilities of freedom for the couple.

On the other hand, it has a sentimental meaning. It is a symbol of the lost love between Rick and Ilsa, an element that is a constant in their relationship, both in the past and the present. Sam plays the song "As Time Goes By" in that piano, a song that they used to play when they were together. It will be also played in the present, when they are no longer a couple.

Later in the movie, both Ilsa and Rick will ask Sam to play the song, revealing that there are feelings that will resurface. This situation will lead both protagonists to the difficult decision of whether to be a couple again, despite Ilsa's marriage, or, to forget about their love and go separate ways.

The piano, in this case, is what is left of a relationship that has not ended yet, that is still present for both lovers and that will cause problems on the future. It is the only thing that has been there during the entire development of the relationship, the link between them and their love. A reminder of the past, but also an opportunity of the present, of staying together in Casablanca.

To sum up, the piano is a prop that plays an important role, representing a possibility of freedom and new beginnings but also of another chance for a love that hasn't been entirely forgotten.

The magic lamp in this scene shifts dramatically, representing the house of the Genie and when someone rubs the lamp three times, this Genie appears and grants them three wishes.

The whole movie moves towadrs this prop, Aladdin must find it to achieve his goal. Once, he has obtained it a war starts between Aladdin and Jafar for this lamp.

Both of them want it however, for different reasons: Jafar want its power to become the strongest man over the world and have control over all the kingdoms, while Aladdin needs it to make Jasmine fall in love with him.

Therefore, the lamp is a symbol of power and temptation, whoever posseses this lamp has a huge power, which can be used for good as Aladdin or for evil as Jafar.

In addition, it has another meaning. For instance, for Aladdin becomes a symbol of moral choice, he must decide whether to choose selfish desires or doing the correct things.

To sum up, the lamp is a clear example of a prop since it moves the story forward, symbolizes power, temptation and morality, and we can see how defines the characters making Aladdin an honest person who does not fall in the arms of temptation and Jafar who makes it an ambitious person.

In Castaway, the most recognizable prop is the volleyball "Wilson". Wilson is a volleyball on which the main character, Chuck, paints a face. It is used as a way for the audience to understand how much the main character misses his old life and real connections with people. During the film, Chuck talks to Wilson and treats it like a real person, highlighting his desperate need for social interaction and humanity.

Moreover, Wilson also acts as a way for Chuck to maintain how little sanity he has left after being in isolation for that long. This relationship with Wilson helps him express how he feels and process his feelings better.

At the end, Chuck ends up losing Wilson and it drifts away towards the ocean. This moment symbolizes how the main character has to move on and escape the island, even if he has to leave behind his connection with Wilson, which he loved, but is a product of his imagination, and by doing this he realises he has to return to society.

There are a lot of props in the film, for example, the watch pocket of the rabbit that symbolize time and curiosity, the foods and drink that change Alice size.

Heart cards and roses represent The queen of hearts while chess pieces represent The white queen.

The hat of the Mad hatter also represents him... etc

The prop in this film is the glass shoes Cinderella wears in the party on the palace where she met the Prince.

This shoes are magical and belongs to the fairy godmother, which helps Cinderella getting dressed after her step-sisters destroyed the dress Cinderella spend time preparing with the help of the animals.

In addition, the shoes symbolize the magical transformation Cinderella has at the party, and that at 12 midnight the magic will end.

Moreover, the shoes play an important role in the ending of the film, due to the order to find the girl who wore the shoes in the party by the Prince, because he felll in love with the girl of the glass shoes.

Every girl in the kingdom had the opportunity to try on the shoes, but in the end, only Cinderella was the one to whom they fitted correctly. Making her and the Prince getting married and live happily after all.

An evident prop in this film is the painting "La Mariée" by Chagall, which Will has hanging in his house as a poster, and which we later discover that Anna has in her house.

This painting is first shown in Will's apartment while they are having breakfast, when Anna asks him about it, and he starts to rant about how there's something poetic in it, even though there's a goat playing a violin in a wedding, and she starts laughing and agrees with him. This shows us that, even though they come from different backgrounds (a very important theme in the film), they have the same sense of humor and even art-taste.

Later on, after they have a fight and separate for a year, Anna comes back to London and goes to Will's store to ask him to take her back and to give him a gift. Will rejects her because he believes he won't be able to keep up with her famousness, and later opens the gift; it turns out that Anna had that same painting in her house, except that it's the original, and she has given it to Will. This shows him that their different life styles shouldn't be something that keeps them apart because what really matters are the things they have in common and how well they actually "work" together.

Moreover, at the end, we are shown Will and Anna's wedding, and there's a moment where the camera focuses on the cake, and we see that it's designed after this painting, showing how it was an important part of their way to the relationship they have now.

The most relevant moment in the film is the appearance of a little girl on a very low level while Goreng was rebelling against the prison. In the story, it is stated that no children are allowed in the prison, so her appearence is very rare and surprising. She turns to be a symbol of hope and innocence, as well as a symbol of future and purity. This are elements that since the beginning of the film have been completely erased and replaced with violence and selfishness. At the same time, she is also a very good critique to the system itself as her mere existance proves that the rules are not working or beeing followed.

At the end, Goreng, instead of defending what he thought was a good message (the panna cotta), chooses to send the little girl, as she would deliver an even stronger message than before. By sending her up, Goreng proves that the system is not working as those in charge intended and that there are still people who choose sympathy and compassion over being consumed by cruelty.

Even though at the end of the film we don’t really know if she lives or dies, the message she has is more important than that. She represents the future of a world where selfishness no longer exists.

Anakin and Padme meet each other again years after, and they fall in love. We discover that even though at first Anakin thinks Padme has probably forgotten about him, she is still wearing the Japor snippet, that becomes a symbol of their unity and love. Anakin and Padme end up marrying in secret, as marriage is forbidden to the jedis.

This prop appears for the last time at the end of Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Padme ends up dying in childbirth after she discovers Anakin has betrayed their beliefs and turned to the dark side, becoming Darth Vader, who is the same thing he had sworn to detroy. In Padme's last moments we can notice how after all she still loves Anakin and believes there is good left in him. We can see the Japor snippet being held by Padme during her funeral, as a symbol of her undying love with Anakin and a reminder of the innocent child that gifted her the necklace so many years ago. The appearance of this prop in this scene can be interpreted as symbol of hope, that means there is still a chance that some part of that innocent boy remains inside Darth Vader, leaving open the possibility for a future redemption.