The use of color within the home is symbolic of mood. The almost yellow fluorescent lighting is ironic when compared to the first image of the painting as the painting had created expectations of an enthusiastic film. The yellow tint throughout the house also conflicts as yellow is known to be a bright color. Yellow usually represents happiness and warmth, emotions that are lacking in the Bishop family. The dim lighting also reflects the gloomy, dark weather outside. An extremely long shot of the house's exterior captures the darkness of the sky that elicits unhappy emotions. When Susy goes out to check the mailbox, the change in weather is immediately apparent as the sky has changed from gray to blue and the use of color in her wardrobe also supports this theory. Susy's younger brothers wear clothes that complement the props, and her mother wears a sweater and dress that coordinate with the colors of the kitchen walls. Susy's wardrobe of orange dress and white stockings provides clues to the era in which the film was made but also suggests its importance. Of all the other characters his clothes are the brightest, which is ironic for a very troubled individual and the sound also draws attention to specific scenes and can suggest expectations about what will happen. The sound that viewers hear first is that of thunder and rain. External sound is accessible both to characters within the scene and to the audience. Even though the rain and thunder are imperceptible, viewers can assume that it is raining outside, which explains the minimal lighting coming through the windows. Lionel climbing the stairs, the sound of jacks, and the chewing as the three boys eat are all examples of diegetic sounds that feel natural. By using diegetic sound viewers perceive the story as more realistic because it places the audience within that scene. The use of the recorder and orchestral music is also important as it adds drama to the scene. When Susy picks up her book, the volume of the music increases, intensifying the scene to make it seem more dramatic. As Susy opens the curtains again the music gets louder, the combination of music and camera distance in this shot suggests that perhaps Susy saw something important through her