Good morning/afternoon teachers and classmates, I am here today to talk to you about how Weir represents the concept of "individual struggle" in witness. Individual struggle is ones challenge which can decide if they are strong, or weak it determines their strengths and weaknesses and almost every individual will walk a path in their lives whereby they will face individual struggles. In witness the concept of "individual struggle" is represented in the opening scene, the murder scene, the barn scene with book and Rachel, the raising of the barn scene and the ice cream scene.
In the opening scene the concept of "individual struggle" is represented in witness. The film begins with an introduction to the Amish. The music is peaceful and harmonious coupled with a montage of a group of Amish people walking through grasslands. A traditional horse and buggy is used to establish their way of life.
Rachel represents individual struggle as when her husband dies she becomes a single parents which is hard. During the funeral high angle shots are used to show how many people are gathered, women are shown preparing and serving food while the men gather around and talk. A panning long shot of the Amish town highlights the peacefulness and simplicity which will be contrasted to the English world. Furthermore with the use of juxtaposition in the two worlds we are able to highlight the contrast of the horse and buggy holding up traffic and also trucks and cars through long angle shot. This is also show in the scene where the train passes Daniel on his buggy.
The gun Scene is also a significant scene that represents individual struggle. Books destruction of the birdhouse symbolises the disturbance and destruction that he will bring to the Amish community. This is further emphasised when book allows Samuel to hold his gun. Through the dialogue between Eli and Samuel, the contrast between the two cultures is further brought to light.
Furthermore "individual struggle is also evident when Eli reveals that book is going to his world and Rachel's response indicates that she will join him. The removal of her Amish cape and the close up shot of it is symbolic as it represents her stripping away her Amish heritage. We can see that Rachel struggles in doing this as she is willing to do anything to be with Book even wanting to sacrifice not seeing her family anymore.Moreover "individual struggle" is represented in the murder scene.
The world of the Amish and English become intertwined in the murder scene where Samuel, an innocent naive Amish boy becomes a witness in a brutal murder. Samuel represents individual struggle as he has never been exposed to the English world and therefore doesn't know how to act in public, he struggles to understand why people do certain things. Rachel also doesn't know the danger of letting Samuel wonder off by himself as in the Amish community nothing like this would occur, she struggles to take care of Samuel as she is a single parent. The silence in the murder scene creates a dramatic tone, while the murderer calmly washed his hands and appears to be Un-phased by what he had done, showing lack of sensitivity, lack morality and remorse.
Furthermore Samuel is referred to as a 'kid in the funny black dress' which shows the ignorance and lack of understanding of the English people."Individual struggle" is also represented in the changing relationship between Rachel and John through the barn scene when Book fixes the car. The music and song lyrics elude to the fact that they have developed feelings for each other. This is also evident though their eye contact and body language. The couple is interrupted by an angry Eli, who is disapproves of their growing relationship as he can see the negative impact that book is having on Rachel by encouraging her to act like an English person.
Furthermore with the use of diction Rachel states "you shame yourself "and "I'm not a child" as a retaliation device which indicates that she has changed herself physically and now has become a rebellious and disobedient individual.Similarly the concept of "individual struggle" is also evident in the raising of the barn scene. This scene is very significant as the Amish community all work together for a common purpose. Male and female roles are clearly defined as men do the physical labour roles while the women prepare the meal.
Harmonious uplifting music creates a harmonious mood to reflect Book's growing relationships within the Amish community. He is wearing clothing similar to the Amish to show that he has blended in. Daniel shares his drink with book to highlight mutual respect and like ability, and this is also shown where the men pass their tools to Book as they consider him as a member of their community.In addition in the ice cream scene it is evident that book struggles with fitting in with the Amish community, when Daniel's face is smeared in ice cream he does not retaliate as the Amish do not believe in using violence to resolve problems. This is contrasted to books reaction who upon witnessing this, jumps out of the buggy and attacks the offender using physical violence.
This is further reinforced through the dialogue between Eli and Book where Eli states "it's not our way" and Book replies "but it's my way".In conclusion the concept of "individual struggle" is evident in witness through the .0opening scene, the murder scene, the barn scene with book and Rachel, the raising of the barn scene and the ice cream scene. Thank you for listening to my speech.
