IconographyBY SAM FEARON

What is iconography?

Iconography is pictorial material or physical objects that represent a specific subject or genre.

Gangster films; iconography

In many gangster films guns are used to symbolise that gangsters are violent people who will kill if necessary to get their work done.

Most commonly used guns in gangster films are Tommy guns.

Drugs are usually key elements behind stories and plots in gangster films, therefore seeing this would make the word gangster spring to mind.

Most gangster films will have some association with drugs.

Stacks and piles of money often appear in gangster film.

This generally represents the superiority or wealth of a ‘gang’ within the city or town they are operating in.