The monologue also functions as a foreshadowing device that implies his lack of luck with romantic relationships. His negative perception of himself implies his inner conflicts that are essential to the film’s progression. The monologue sets-up Alvy’s relationships’ failures and gives him the platform to explore the questions as per why his past relationships were unsuccessful, especially his with Annie. Alvy explains that he cannot get his mind around their break-up. He continues examining his life and reflecting back on the relationship, trying to pinpoint “where the screw-up came.” The couple was in-love a year ago, leaving Alvy striving to figure out why it failed. This narrative tactic tells viewers the film’s ending, in a sense, by informing …show more content…
Going from present-day to the past establishes the film’s discontinuous narrative structure. It sets-up how the film will not be told in chronological order, which aligns with Alvy’s reflection process. In the opening sequence, the first flashback shows a younger Alvy and his mother at an analyst’s office. Alvy wears formal attire for a child, dressed in a tie, button-down and dress pants. The clothing is suggestive of Alvy’s precociousness, further indicated by the reasons he offers to support his inability to do anything. The universe expanding deeply concerns Alvy and he does not see the point in doing anything, if the universe will break apart. Seated beside Alvy, his mother tries to focus on getting Alvy to complete child tasks, like doing his homework. However, the two cannot seem to agree about the importance of the universe’s impending end. Alvy sits slouching, not caring too much about his mother’s concerns, while she is worried and sitting upright. Their opposing attitudes towards his moroseness and views on the universe set-up Alvy’s trouble with women. Not only does Alvy later struggle with romantic relationships, but he cannot seem to see eye-to-eye with his mother. It constructs Alvy as one who has found it difficult to get along with the opposite sex. Yet, the cinematic technique of reflecting through flashbacks also indicates that Alvy is trying to find answers