What Does The Deer Symbolize In Get Out
Okay, so let's talk about deer. In Jordan Peele's masterpiece, Get Out. Yeah, that movie. The one that made you jump and then think, like, really think. Deer pop up. Not just once, but a few times. And every time, you're like, "Wait, what was that?"
It's super fun to dissect these little moments, right? Like an Easter egg hunt, but for deeper meaning. And the deer is a big, blinking signpost. Or maybe a subtle wink. You decide.
The First Encounter: A Roadside Shock
Remember the first time Chris sees a deer? It’s a classic jump scare. He’s driving with Rose. Nighttime. The car hits something. Bam. A deer. It's abrupt. It's jarring. It sets a tone. A tone of things not being quite right.
This isn't just random roadkill, though. Oh no. This is symbolic roadkill. Think about it. Deer are often seen as innocent. Gentle creatures. And what happens? They get brutally hit. This foreshadows what's coming for Chris. His innocence is about to be shattered.
And the suddenness of it. It’s like his peaceful arrival at the Armitage estate is about to take a nosedive. You’re already on edge. Thanks, deer!
Deer: Nature's Fragile Beauty
Deer are all about nature. Wilderness. Unspoiled. Before all the creepy stuff begins, you have this symbol of the natural world. It’s beautiful. It’s pure. And it’s defenseless against the encroaching forces.
It makes you think about what’s natural and what’s… not. The Armitage family, for all their polite smiles, are anything but natural. They’re twisted. Corrupted. The deer is a stark contrast to their artificiality.
The Second Encounter: A Symbol of Prey
Then there’s the deer Chris almost hits. Later in the film. This time, it’s deliberate. Almost. He swerves. He avoids it. But it’s still there. Right in the middle of the road.
This time, the deer feels less like an accident and more like… bait. Or a warning. It's a visual reminder that danger is lurking. It’s always there. Just a few feet away.
Chris is the deer here. He's the one being hunted. The Armitages are the hunters. The whole setup is designed to trap him. The deer is a constant, unnerving presence. A reminder of his vulnerability.
The Hunt is On
Deer are also prey animals. They’re skittish. Easily spooked. They run. They hide. This is exactly what Chris starts to do. He becomes more and more aware of the danger. He tries to escape. He tries to run.
The deer symbolizes that feeling of being trapped. Of being hunted. Of being on the run for your life. It’s a primal fear. And Peele taps right into it.
The Hypnosis and the Sunken Place
Now, let's get a little weirder. The deer shows up again. In the Sunken Place. For those who need a refresher, the Sunken Place is where your consciousness goes when your body is taken over. It’s a dark, terrifying void.
And in that void, Chris sees the deer. Not just any deer, but the same deer. The one he hit. The one he almost hit. It’s still there. Bruised. Broken. A symbol of his own trauma. His own brokenness.
It’s like the deer represents the trauma he’s experiencing. The physical and psychological damage being inflicted upon him. It’s a visual representation of his soul being shattered.
The Deer's Unseen Impact
The deer in the Sunken Place is key. It’s a physical manifestation of his pain. It's a reminder of the violence that has been done to him. It’s haunting. And it’s stuck there. Just like he is.
This is where the symbolism gets really dark. The deer becomes a representation of the victims. The countless souls that have been trapped and exploited by the Armitages and their ilk. It’s a collective trauma.
Quirky Deer Facts: Because Why Not?
Did you know that deer can jump up to 8 feet high? Imagine that! So the deer hitting the car… it wasn’t just a random stumble. It was a powerful, albeit tragic, force.
And did you know that deer have excellent hearing? They can rotate their ears independently to pinpoint sounds. So they hear trouble coming. Just like Chris starts to hear the whispers of the Armitage family’s true intentions.
It’s fun to think that even in their symbolic role, deer are inherently aware. Sensitive. Which makes their vulnerability even more poignant.
Why is This Fun to Talk About?
Because Get Out is a masterclass in filmmaking. Peele isn't just telling a story. He's weaving a tapestry of meaning. Every detail matters. Every symbol is deliberate.
Talking about the deer is like peeling back the layers of a really complex, delicious onion. You discover something new with each layer. It makes you appreciate the artistry. The sheer genius of it all.
It’s also fun because it sparks conversation. You can debate with friends. "What do you think the deer means?" There's no single right answer. That's the beauty of good art. It invites your interpretation.
The Power of the Unseen
The deer is this quiet, almost unassuming symbol. But it carries so much weight. It’s a reminder that the most important things in a story aren’t always the loudest. Sometimes, it's the fleeting glimpse. The fleeting image that sticks with you.
So next time you watch Get Out, pay attention to the deer. It’s not just an animal. It’s a silent narrator. A harbinger of doom. And a beautiful, tragic reminder of what’s at stake.
It’s proof that sometimes, the most profound messages come from the most unexpected places. Even a roadside collision.