"Let freedom ride."
Sons of Anarchy - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
The Reaper
The Reaper logo symbolizes the club's intimate relationship with death. It represents both the protection of the brotherhood and the grim fate that awaits those who wear it.
The logo is omnipresent on the members' 'cuts' (vests). The final shot of the series features the Reaper logo carved into wood, stained with Jax's blood, signifying the total consumption of the man by the club.
The Homeless Woman
Often interpreted as a guardian angel, a harbinger of doom, or the ghost of Emily Putner (a woman killed in John Teller's accident), she symbolizes the unseen casualties of the club's violence.
She appears at pivotal moments of moral choice or impending death, often handing Jax or other characters objects (like a blanket or bread) that provide temporary comfort before a tragedy.
John Teller's Manuscript
The manuscript represents the 'lost' soul of the club and the burden of idealism. It is the catalyst for Jax's internal conflict.
Found in the pilot, it is read periodically throughout the series. Its eventual destruction by Jax symbolizes his realization that his father's dream was a myth that could not survive the reality of their world.
Crows
A recurrent motif for death and the 'Sons' (often referred to as 'crow eaters').
The series opens and closes with shots of crows on the highway. Crows also appear in Gemma's home as pets, reflecting her proximity to the deaths that surround her family.
Philosophical Questions
Can a person truly change their nature while remaining in a toxic environment?
The series explores this through Jax's failed attempts to reform the club. It suggests that the environment of SAMCRO is fundamentally incompatible with the 'good man' Jax wants to be.
Does the end justify the means in the pursuit of peace?
Jax commits horrific murders to 'clear the path' for a peaceful future for the club. The show questions if peace achieved through genocide and betrayal is actually peace or just a temporary silence.
Core Meaning
At its heart, the series is a profound exploration of the impossibility of escaping one's legacy. The creators use the subculture of outlaw bikers as a stage to argue that violence is a self-perpetuating cycle that consumes everything it touches, including the ideals of those who seek to change it. Through the arc of Jax Teller, the show suggests that a 'legitimate' existence cannot be built upon a foundation of blood, and that true redemption often requires the total sacrifice of the self to ensure the next generation is not poisoned by the same sins.