„A POEM LOVELY AS A TREE“: DRVEĆE U SERIJI „TVIN PIKS“ DEJVIDA LINČA I MARKA FROSTA

Abstract

This paper presents several perspectives on the possible theoretical understanding of forests and trees as cultural signifiers. Within the scope of a review of the mythological, religious, and cultural shaping of the symbols of tree and forest, foundations are established for recognizing these symbolic values in the context of contemporary television and film production. The subject of the research is the presence of trees in the series Twin Peaks (1990–1991), with particular focus on the figure of the sycamore tree in the final episode of the second season. The American sycamore functions as both a symbolic sign and a situational marker within the narrative, but at the same time, it is also the central figure of a song performed within the world of the story. The overview of theoretical insights on trees is thus transformed into an analysis of the lyrics of the musical theme “Sycamore Trees.” The analysis shows that the micro-level of the song, with lyrics written by David Lynch, reflects a concept of the relation to the Other that, on the broader level of the narrative, manifests as a story about doubles and as a story about good and evil.