Symbols and concepts of death in the animation movie ‘Coco’ : a study with primary school children

Abstract

Our life is encircled by symbols. As from primordial times, human beings started adopting symbols to give meaning to abstract and intangible concepts. In fact, the Italian philosopher Giambattista Vico argued that human beings developed symbols to ‘solve, account and cope with the phenomena of existence (natural powers, birth, death, regulations of instinct)’ (Tateo, 2018, p.401). Thus according to Vico, the mind and culture are simultaneously constructed through the use of artefacts such as language, ideas and images (Tateo, 2018, p.401). Due to this constant encountering with symbols, it is therefore important to provide adequate tools to children in order to help them identify and interpret the symbols they come across with. Consequently, children would be able to construct meaning and have a profound connection with reality (Gellel, 2018). I am interested in investigating the children’s ability to detect and interact with symbols present in animation movies. I have chosen animated movies because these are an integral part of children’s lives. I would like to carry out a qualitative study among primary school children. Through a focus group of not more than six students, I wish to investigate how they interpret the symbols of death present in ‘Coco’. After watching the movie over a period of 4 school days, I will use conversations with a purpose to seek to understand whether children are able to use analogical reasoning in order to approach the subject of death and transfer these symbols to their own personal context. I will then analyse the responses hoping to find answers to the questions I have.