What does Rosebud mean? The whole movie unfold with this question. Because the life of Kane is so dramatic, people study his whole life, his success, his failure, his death, and even his last words. It is indeed a recognition for Mr. Kane, and he seems more successful than most people in the world, but he was lonely and unhappy when he died.

“I think it would be fun to run a newspaper.” The New York Inquirer cost him a $1 million dollar year, but he believes he was taking care of the underprivileged interests. He seems to always want to go the opposite direction of Mr. Thatcher told him. I think Mr. Thatcher could be representing the stringent authorities or old fashioned rules that do not adjust properly to the new, rapid changing American society. Kane was able to challenge the classic rules and principles, to do something philanthropic, but eventually made a lot of money from it.

“If the headline is big enough, it will make the news big enough” Kane is a pragmatic and smart businessman. He crushed Chronicle with his “Declaration of Principles” by appealing to the general public, especially the working class. His marriage to Emily, President’s niece, furthered his success. His popularity and public image of being the honest man caring about the underprivileged could have helped him sit on the governor’s position. If it wasn’t for his affair with Susan, he would be a shining star in American politics. However, his ego prevented him from admitting his defeat, and resulted in his failure to protect his son.

“You will be the riches man in the country someday.” “And you will not be lonely” Those were his parents’ expectations sending young Kane away to Mr. Thatcher. His childhood was not what it was supposed to be for a child of his age, and that resulted his controlling unconfident character. He constantly need to prove himself, and he desperately need love, because he was short of them when he was young. Everyone must love him. He is selfish in nature, and also pitiful. He didn’t learn how to love anyone. He is only willing to give others what he had plenty and never cared about: money. He forced Susan to sing because he wants to prove his judgement. Susan spoke about the truth when she left him: “Here’s money. You must love me.” “You can’t do this to me.” Everything is about him. And that’s the sad life he lived.

Rosebud is something he had lost. His childhood. The sledge. His parents’ love. His ability to love.