Two more comments from Kathy, this time thinking about the significance of the dog(s) and Ash’s acquisition of clothing and accessories as she leaves the terminal in Class Real. Both these seem to explain things that are otherwise quite opaque in the film
Symbolic and Mythological Animals by J.C. Cooper on page 78 “Ainu mythology has watch-dogs stationed on the road to the otherworld at various points so that they can direct souls on their way and see that they go to the rightly deserved place. The dog is also considered psychic and can detect the presence of any ghost.”
This could give some explanation for the reason why the dogs are watching her, and why her dog seemed mildly agitated when she logged onto the nine sisters site at 00:35:46. I believe Thomas Kessler’s is on the right track about light and shadow on the dog being a clue. If you look at the posters on the wall at 1:26:10 look at the capital A with the line on top of it and then look at the dog. The shape of the light area on the dog’s head is almost identical. Especially in the bottom row of posters where the title has been cut off at the dog’s brow.
There are some similarities between the story of Inanna or Ishtar’s descent into the underworld and Ash’s ascent from the terminal into class real.When Ishtar descends through the seven gates of the underworld at each gate she must give up an article of clothing or jewelry each is symbolic of her authority, power and beauty.When she goes through the seventh gate she is naked… Later in the story she is rescued from the underworld and on the way out reclaims each of those items. Likewise as Ash ascends from the terminal. and at along the way attains various items…. gun, dress, ticket, earrings, purse, shoes, ring.
Kathy has noticed the discontinuity described below – is it just a simple continuity glitch, or is there a deeper meaning?
In the scene where the bishop shows up at Ash’s door ….. When Ash is bending down to get the dog dish before the first knock there are two cabbages in the basket on the kitchen counter….. later in the same scene there is one cabbage in the basket, and a piece of meat on the cutting board. I am wondering if there is a symbolic connection between the missing cabbage and the missing cherub’s head, or if it was a goof.