Structure : Pan’s Labyrinth has a non-linear narrative, it begins with a flash forward with the death of Ofelia (the main protagonist). This presents the viewer with the question of how the story got to that point and immediately raises the stakes (if the protagonist isn’t even safe, then who is?). The narrative is also halved, following Ofelia in the fantasy world and Mercedes in the real world. They both are in precarious situations and we watch them both struggle individually. We can also draw parallels from the horrors in the fantasy world and fascist Spain (for example, the task with the colossal frog and the Captain’s Feast occur at the same time, both representing greed and the detriment that it causes).
Characters’ Function : Ofelia is a classic female fairy tale protagonist, courageous, good and practically innocence personified. She is a hero and does her best to protect her mother (who could be said to be the ‘Princess’ of the story) and her younger brother. The Captain is the antagonist, this is shown throughout the entire film, his true intentions are never left ambiguous. The only time we see him happy is when he’s inflicting pain. The Faun could fill the role of either the mentor or dispatcher but it differs from the traditional mentor/dispatcher as it shows dislike towards Ofelia at one point and doesn’t warn her about many of the things she faces during her tasks. Mercedes is a secondary protagonist, we see her undergo her own trials and rely on her own courage and skills. However, she differs from the usual secondary protagonist because although she succeeds in her goals, she fails to come to the rescue of the main protagonist (Ofelia).
Conflicts : One of the film’s central conflicts is the conflict between Vidal and Ofelia. Throughout the film Vidal tries to exert his dominance over Ofelia and control her but she always finds ways to undermine him (escaping through chalk doorways, the labyrinth chase scene, sneaking off into the woods before the feast, sneaking into her mothers room, etc). This culminates into the standoff in the centre of the labyrinth where Vidal kills Ofelia. Another conflict is between the fantasy world and the “real” world, involving both Ofelia and the audience. Ofelia on multiple occasions has to choose between escaping into the fantasy world or staying to do something in the real world to protect her family. As the audience we also get the opportunity to decide whether or not we think the fantasy world exists or not (there is evidence that both proves and disproves the existence). There is also the more physical conflict between Vidal’s forces and the resistance group in the woods. We see the two sides battle twice, ending eventually with the triumph of the rebels.
Themes : One of the main themes in Pan’s is disobedience. Ofelia disobeys the Faun twice (once to eat the Pale Man’s grapes and again by refusing to give her brother to it) and Vidal on multiple occasions (by sneaking into her mother’s room, stealing away her brother, trying to escape with Mercedes, etc). The rebel group are framed as being far more honourable than Vidal’s men, who blindly obey him, and the group are actively disobeying the wishes of their government, trying to overthrow it. Another theme is Wartime vs. Innocence. Ofelia as the only child for the majority of the film is a symbol of innocence. Most of the sacrifices the adults around Ofelia make are done without her knowledge (e.g the doctor putting the captive rebel out of his misery, Carmen putting on a brave face for Ofelia, the sacrifices the rebels make). The grimness of the fighters contrast to the more delicate Ofelia. When confronted with something Ofelia retreats further into the fantasy world (whether it’s real or her imagination), like the Faun returning after the death of her mother. At the end Ofelia, the symbol of innocence, is killed, the horrors of war literally killing childlike innocence.
