Another random symbol...

Citizen Kane is filled with symbols from start to finish.  Some are obvious, while others take careful viewing (noticing that a businessman looks like Vladimer Lenin and random things of this nature).  I think I noticed one such symbol in the "puzzle scene".  In one of the camera views you see Kane with Susan Alexander.  Susan is completing yet another jigsaw puzzle as Kane walks about admiring himself and generally basking in his power.  On the right side of the screen is a gigantic stone gargoul that appears to be a sort of hideous dragon-snake demon sort of monster.  This is just one of many statues that Kane keeps around Xanadu, but I think this one is of symbolic significance.  

          At first, I wondered why the gargoul was taking up half the screen or why it was even in the picture at all.  Then I realized that just like almost every other image in the movie it probably has some sort of symbolic meaning otherwise it wouldn't  be getting so much attention from the director.  I see it as it is a symbol of love or rather a loss of love.  Recall that this scene is focusing on the strained relationship and marriage of Susan and Kane.  The snake like head of the gargoul curves into the shape of half a heart.  This is clearly trying to show the lack of true love between these two married people.  The hideous nature of the gargoul is also clearly intended.  For instance the director didn't choose the neck of a swan to form half the heart because this wouldn't properly show the many problems that are part of marriages and love in general.  In doing so, the film again tries to portray the failures of all marriages and a general lack of faith in humanity as a whole.