In the beginning of the video the first prop the audience see is a fire. The symbolism of a fire as the first thing the audience see foreshadows danger throughout the rest of the video. Also, because the song is related to religion not accepting sexuality, the fire has symbolic meaning (in terms of Barthes' theory) of religion; it can connote fire burning, a religious ceremony in which sinners burn their sins away. This can foreshadow that sins will be explored through the rest of the video.
When the camera cuts to show the character, of which the omniscient audience know to be gay, the lyrics ‘everybody’s disapproval’ accompany him scrabbling to get a box. The prop of the box is used throughout the video as a symbol for the character’s sexuality creating deeper meaning, conforming to Barthes' theory again. The character uses a key and a chain to lock the box. The box can be a representation of withholding the character’s sexuality and hiding it away. This along with the lyrics suggests that sexuality should be something to be ashamed of as its not socially acceptable.
As the lyrics continue to say ‘every Sunday's getting more bleak, fresh poison each week’ the characters are seen to be using the prop of a shovel and a wheelbarrow to bury the box underground. This semiotic meaning of the lyrics shows the desperation to keep his sexuality a secret and is almost like he’s trying to forget about it. This is because of the 'poison' that is spoken to other people turning them against homosexuality. This creates the representational issue that sexuality is a choice. Furthermore, the fact the camera has become physically closer to the fire can suggest that the danger is increasing as the secret (symbolised by the prop of the box) has been brought to the audience’s attention.
When the camera cuts, a deep focus shot is used to show character A’s boyfriend walking through a field to come and find him. The use of the chain and railings as a prop can suggest how trapped and segregated the gay couple are. Also, the fact the camera is on the other side of these railings can force the audience to relate to their situation as it makes them feel like they are adding to the problem and discrimination; they are the ones trapping the gay couple. This is assisted by the black birds in the sky that are the symbolism of death. It suggests that the gay couple are doing something that warrants the punishment of death; again, an old religious belief.
As the camera cuts to a two shot of the gay couple smoking, the prop of the cigarette conforms to the codes and conventions of the indie genre. It 'normalises' smoking and has no consequences suggesting that smoking is okay and good. This is followed by the prop of the box being shown again as character A continues to bury it. This high angle shot of him covering it with soil again has connotations of death. This can make it seem like this is a final decision and the sexuality has no hope to survive and thrive.
As the camera cuts again, it reveals an anti-gay group who are carrying weapons. The weapons emphasise the hate there is towards homosexuality. This is contrasted with the small pebbles the gay couple are holding when the camera cuts. It creates binary opposition of good Vs evil which conforms to Sven E Carlsson's theory that music videos are driven by binary opposition (also conforming to Levi Straus' theory). In this case the narrative is being driven by homosexuals (good) vs heterosexuals (evil). The contrast helps to suggest to the audience that it is not the homosexual couple that are causing harm it’s the heterosexuals.
When the camera cuts to a low angle point of view shot of the aeroplane in the sky, the plane is a symbolism of freedom that the gay couple desire but cannot achieve, as shown by the distance between the two.
Overall the props in this music video are used as symbolism for thoughts, feelings and social views which conforms to Deborah Holstein's theory that suggests the artist is a political commentator and mediator. In this case, the props help to suggests to the audience that homophobia isn’t acceptable and helps to visually illustrate current social issues. Barthes' narrative theory is also feature consistently throughout the create deeper meaning of the props, allowing the artist to discuss a sensitive subject in an acceptable manner.
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