Escape

Throughout Roman Holiday we experience the motif of escape. Every event in the film hinges on the fact that Princess Ann decides to run away from the embassy. Having spent weeks traveling, Ann is sick of her life and she simply wants to go out and enjoy herself like a normal person.

When Ann escapes from the Embassy, she is escaping from her life as well. She is trying to escape from her duty, her family and her caretakers. She wants to dance on a barge all night long and eat ice cream on the side of the street instead of spending her days as a diplomat and representative for her family.

Ann's escape is the catalyst for the story, since without her escape, she could never have met Joe or had any of her unique experiences. It also helps reveal the themes in the film as she...