Analysis of Citizen Kane
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Upon hearing the stories told by the three people closest to Charles Foster Kane, it is impossible to tell who has the most accurate account of his life. Even the version given by his second wife, Susan Alexander Kane, fails to show a complete man. In spite of their marriage and the fact that they once lived together, she knew him no better than his friends and colleagues. Kane's good friend is also found lacking after his interview by Mr Thompson. After years of school and working together Mr Leland has no idea who Charles Kane is under the outgoing and powerful faade. Lastly we have Mr Thatcher, his adopted father. Mr Thatcher is the only parent Kane knew after being given up by his mother; after reading his memoirs it is obvious that Thatcher never took the time to get to know Charles Kane while he grew up. All of these characters give a different point of view on Charles Kane's life. Susan sees him from the angle of a neglected wife; Leiland sees him from the angle of a male co-worker and Thatcher sees him from the angle of a disappointed parent. Of the three people named above, none of them are able to say for sure who Charles Kane was, other than the fact that he was powerful and self-centered...