Irony

As the movie Inside Out explores the complex inner world of Riley, the value of recognizing and expressing the whole range of human emotions was emphasized. This theme is further underscored through a pivotal scene with the utilization of irony—Bing Bong finds unexpected comfort in the presence of Sadness. In the scene, Bingbong, a long-forgotten imaginary friend of Riley, finds himself despondent after losing his cherished rocket in the memory dump. In a surprising turn of events, Joy, who typically is the problem-solver in Riley's world, is unable to console the grieving Bing Bong. Instead, it was Sadness, often perceived as negative, who provided him with comfort.

Looking at the emotion sadness, a character of sorrow, pain, or discouragement is often seen. It seems contradictory that sadness offered comfort to Bing Bong, a symbol of joy and fun. The scene demonstrates that sadness isn’t just about negativity that adds up to an individual's burden. Depressed Bing bong was able to express the pain of losing the most valuable thing to him. Thus, by validating his feelings, sadness creates a safe space for Bing bong to express his feelings and ultimately finding a sense of consolation.

Docter, Pete, and Ronnie Del Carmen. Inside Out. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 2015.

Sadness is a necessary part of the grieving process. The scene effectively highlights the need for feeling in healing. As opposed to Joy's attempts to do so, it emphasizes the value of not immediately looking for the good side of every circumstance. Rather, acknowledging and expressing all emotions before proceeding in life again. Finally, the image sends a strong message: it is okay to be sad.

Sadness can be just as healing as joy

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