In the film Daddy Long Legs, there are multiple unspoken themes that directly relate to the lives of individuals of the time period. This is exemplified in the scene where the children are “forced” to eat prunes. This scene shows us how basic needs such as appetite are meagerly fulfilled. In contrast to this, Judy and the other orphan boy pray to god for food, and receive it shortly after as it falls right into their laps. Symbolically, this shows how small and seemingly insignificant instances (compared to our current time period) are cherished and highly regarded. In this era of American development, orphans are born into living conditions that inhibit any possibility for upward mobility. However, those who run the orphanage begin to take notice of Judy’s intellect and wit. She is given the chance to go to college; a golden opportunity which she dared not refuse. Despite the inadequate socioeconomic conditions of orphans, Judy became one of the select few who was granted the power to “climb the social ladder”. For the purpose of this paper, the film will be analyzed through the scope of reality. Thus, the themes of upward mobility, gender,…show more content… We socially construct this idea of an orphan as a child because it is logical to place our pity on children who cannot support themselves. The individuals who are fortunate enough to survive in poverty remain at the bottom of the "social ladder" with a government that does not support them (quite contrary to how it operates today.) In Daddy Long Legs, the audience easily forgets about all of the other orphans left behind when Judy transcends that level of social status by going to college. In this sense, she sheds her old skin and emerges from it anew. This creates a clear dichotomy between what is abundant and undesirable, and what is exclusive and