Interwoven in a lot of the scenes is the word "Rosebud". We are first introduced to it in the opening scene of the film. After the many eerie shots of Kane's mansion in Xanadu, we get a close up of Kane's rubbery lips as he utters his last word, "Rosebud..." Little do we know that this is the driving engine of the film. We our only left wondering what Kane meant in his last statement. It is this wonder and misunderstanding that draws the audience to the film which allows for Welles to develop his theme. He did this purposely because he knew that from that point on he'd have all of his audience's full attention.

Discovering Rosebud's true meaning is a hunt all the way through the film. In one of the final shot

s of the film, it's finally revealed that Rosebud was the name of Kane's snow sled from his childhood. Seeing the sled burn reveals that Kane was one who lacked the happiness and love from his mother and father. Already knowing about Kane's rough past and pain filled life by means of the interviews, the audience is at last able to see the symbolism of Rosebud.

Kane thought that power and wealth equaled success. To most, this is considered true, but happiness isn't present anywhere in this equation. This was Kane's downfall. Since Charles never learned how to love someone, he was unable to show his feelings to Susan. So Charles did exactly what he'd been taught, he tried to buy his love for her. Susan always wished to be a successful singer so he immediately enrolled her in professional voice lessons. He built her an extravagant opera house, and he used his paper, the Enquirer, to compliment her efforts. To top things off, we get to see just how happy Charles is at the end of all of this. During the scene when he finally sat down in realization that he was the only one clapping for Susan his facial expression is absolutely priceless. His eyes are shocked, and his face is molded by an overwhelming feeling of sadness. He's simultaneously realizing how unhappy he is and that he can't purchase happiness.

Rosebud's true meaning is summed up perfectly by an inquisition by Bernstein, "You know, I was thinking, that Rosebud you're trying to find out about. Maybe that was something he lost. Mr.

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