‘When people are caught in a clash of cultures their identities are threatened and they are challenged to decide where and with whom they belong’
Discuss with reference to ‘Witness ‘and to real-world’ examples.
‘The only thing that will make you happy is being happy with who you are, and not who people think you are.’ A noteworthy, yet brilliant statement from an American actress Goldie Hawn, conveying that a grasp of individuality can position us to feel a sense of happiness within. Given that the world presents prominent adversity, decisions and actions that we make as individuals, determine how we encounter the problem of where and with whom we affiliate with. As our perceptions and experiences from the world around us, are vulnerable not only due to every day difficulty, but the rapidly changing physical and social environment we all live in.
Peter Weir’s film ‘Witness’, explore the confrontation of new culture to a great extent. During John Book’s time within the Amish Community, he has been exposed to a lifestyle based on the bible. As he wore traditional black and white Amish clothing, and was depicted as one of the Amish through the eyes of the tourist. John has also positioned himself through the way of life of this community, through assisting with the raising of the barn. Given that he was situated to a lifestyle of a foreign community, it has brought a sense of an attachment between the Amish people and himself. Because of this, it has led John to make a decision based on his experiences, to choose whether he should stick with the Amish people or go back to his ordinary life of being a Police detective. John’s choice to belong to either group also presented his identity to become exposed, where his character could in fact change.
The exposure to a new homeland, can present a controversy on where and with whom we belong. Australia’s multicultural and diverse society can be dated back to the waves of migrations. One example of this was the movement of Vietnamese refugees migrating to Australia, due to the confrontation between the Communist and Non-Communist forces in Vietnam. Due to the fact that refugees have dispersed from their homeland, there identity has been exposed to a new environment and as this has happened, their characteristics can in fact change. This situation has led to a decision on whether they should be associated to foreign Australia or home grown Vietnam. Or whether to be obligated to be part of two different cultures, as part of their identity.
Rachael’s interactions with an outsider, introduces an encounter of where and with whom she should belong. The film ‘Witness’ presented Rachael with an unfamiliar character namely ‘John’. Due to the interactions, it has led to an introduction of a clash between who Rachael should belong and affiliate with. This is because the present of a foreign individual saw John staring at Rachael when she was naked, late at night and them both dancing together at night in the barn to John’s melodic music.
Conclusion: N/A
Home
Help
Search
Login
