
In the still taken from Lana Del Rey’s Born to Die music video, two figures are pictured in front of an American flag in an intimate embrace. The viewer of this image may think of many things based on this image. Color scheme, body language, and implied emotions from these triggers give the viewer their initial impression and may let assumptions be made about what the video is of.  This image shows a glimpse of the modern American couple and their perceived bond. 

This less than subtle red, white and blue color scheme is one of the first things an eye is drawn to. This flag implies, to an American viewer, that there are ideas of patriotism and pride. This could be taken in a few ways; one being that this represents the “ideal” relationship because they are standing in front of the “ideal” country’s flag almost representative of the American Dream. Since this is the backdrop, it is obviously important and vital to establish an underlying emotion either for the country or as a reflection of their relationship. The flag symbolizes love, nurturing, nostalgia and trust.  The flag also has shadows bringing the picture more depth. These shadows could symbolize evil or negativity around the two figures. The two people are standing in light which could mean that they, hugging one another, are stronger than the darkness or that they will be eventually overcome by it and want to succumb to the evil with each other close. 

Body language between the two people is very important. This gives insight on the relationship between the two. The two individuals semi nude give the reader a sense of their trust and intimacy in one another. This trust ties back into the American flag and its own projection of emotion on the viewer. The two figures hugging give the impression of a more intimate and protective relationship. The male’s hands are surrounding her body while her hands are on his chest in a more vulnerable position. His encompassment of her has sexual connotations that the viewer can make inferences of it being an intimate relationship and that he is protective of her. The female figure is also showing power by looking forward and having a sort of eye contact with the viewer. Her male counterpart has his eyes closed and is facing left. This is a more submissive protection while the female has a more controlling but vulnerable personality.  

Tattoos being present on the male also show a difference in personality from the tattoo-less girl. His markings imply impurity and an almost dirtiness. He is shown as the protector but the guardian that is not good enough for the innocent beauty. The girl has perfect makeup, hair and implied attitude that show her as being too good for him. She is attracted to his rebellious physique and imperfectly perfect personality. They love each other and the darkness in the surrounding flag is the world’s opinion of their taboo relationship. 

The overall pull from this image is that the couple represents the American Dream. The purity of the girl and the image of the bad boy cliché is what this is all based upon. They put their trust in one another and make the picture perfect twenty-first century American couple. Young love is looked at, not with the views of presentism, but with the views that are negative from the older generation. This picture is showing the aspects of a youth relationship in the modern time. 