Original artwork, not a still
It's all psychological. You yell 'barracuda,' everybody says, 'Huh? What?' You yell 'shark,' we've got a panic on our hands on the Fourth of July.
— Jaws · 1975
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Vaughn understands the power of a frightening word but uses that insight to sidestep the danger it names. His argument substitutes managing an audience’s reaction for addressing what has happened.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for JawsShow the scene
On Amity’s ferry, Mayor Vaughn tries to dissuade Brody from closing the beaches. His comparison of two shouted fish names treats the public’s reaction as the central problem. Brody is being pressed to consider the resort’s reputation while a possible shark attack demands action.
Sources (5)
- Jaws (film, 1975) — written scene source 1On the ferry: Vaughn talks Brody out of closing the beachesReference checked
- Jaws (film, 1975) — written scene source 2On the ferry: Vaughn talks Brody out of closing the beachesReference checked
- Jaws (film, 1975) — written scene source 3On the ferry: Vaughn talks Brody out of closing the beachesReference checked
- Jaws (film, 1975) — written scene source 4On the ferry: Vaughn talks Brody out of closing the beachesReference checked
- Jaws (film, 1975) — written scene source 5On the ferry: Vaughn talks Brody out of closing the beachesReference checked
Context reviewed
