Fifty Shades of Grey

“Raising the ordinary to extraordinary.”

Ana comments on the artwork in Christian Grey’s office when she first meets him. Her comment about the art foreshadows what will happen to her through their coming relationship. She feels ordinary. She’s inexperienced and innocent, and Christian invites her into his world where she will experience the extraordinary.

“Business is all about people, Miss Steele, and I’m very good at judging people. I know how they tick, what makes them flourish, what doesn’t, what inspires them, and how to incentivize them.”

Much of Christian’s dialogue in the opening scene, which details the first meeting between him and Ana, works to characterize Christian in ways that clarify who he will be in her life. He knows how to make people do what he wants, and this includes Ana. Her refusal to fully give in to his control will become a source of great frustration for him.

“Oh, I exercise control in all things, Miss Steele.”

Christian tells Ana who he is during their first meeting. His statement foreshadows how he tries to control her in all ways. As a characterizing detail, his statement points to his inability to let go and allow vulnerability and genuine intimacy into his life.