- The composition of this shot of Harold’s office is used successfully to contribute to the idea of the structure, simplicity and repetition in Harold’s life.
- The shape of the square repeats in the shot. The lights are square, the windows in the background are square, and the cubicles are square. So the shape is a symbol of the repetition of Harold’s life, the same everyday, bland, but structured.
- The colours in the shot are all neutral. Grays and blacks on the roof, and the walls, and the people are wearing bland beige costumes. It shows the lack of spontaneity in Harold’s everyday life.
- It’s a wide shot, so it shows his office, but also notice that Harold does not stand out. He is just another employee. It links to one of the main ideas – Harold is insignificant to the world.
Second example: In Harold's kitchen
The composition of this scene gives us insight to Harold’s life. It is in the kitchen of his home.
- The colours are, again, quite plain. The walls are plain, and the room kind of looks like Harold has tried to make it friendly and happy, but it is quite a dim yellow. It is just one colour, another symbol for his life – it is a straight line, all the same.
- This also shows how solitary Harold is. He is a lone figure, in the middle of this small confined space, just washing his dishes. He has no companion. The narrator in this part also repeats the word alone, to emphasize that Harold does not have anyone else.
- There is the use, also, of special effects in this scene. You can see the lines being drawn around the cupboards on the right. Everything is ordered, in neat lines, in the basic square shape, like in the other shot, and continues the idea that everything is precise.
The composition in this scene creates an almost sad feeling. Although Harold’s life is ordered, and he has no problems, it is not a fulfilling life, and apart from his wristwatch, he is alone.
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