Amish and Modern Society
1-1:30 minute
150-200 word
23rd
Section One 1. How does Weir use symbolism to convey ideas in witness?
Peter Weir uses symbolism to convey ideas throughout the film witness with representations of cultures, the Amish and the modern society. These symbols include John Books gun, Rachel Lapps bonnet and the Samuels explores Johns life is visually represented with the keys, id, money and police badge and a hand gun, these are all high modern day society items. The gun is another symbol which represents violence and the power of the “English” and to the Amish “only god should have the power to take away a man’s life”.
The bonnet is a symbol of Rachel’s life and beliefs, however she takes it off putting it aside before seeing John as if she’s momentarily putting that life to hold and joining John and the modern society. During this time her and John share a romantic dance together and result with a sexual pause with Eli to interrupt and warn Rachel of being shunned.
When John first arrives to the Amish community he brought with him the violence and corruption from the outside world. Restoring the birdhouse he once destroyed before leaving returning the Amish community to its original state. Weir uses the birdhouse to represent a “clash of cultures” with the peaceful Amish being invaded by the violent “English”. 2. How does Weir present the theme of cultural divide within the film?
Peter Weir presents the theme of cultural divide within the film through contrasting the differences between the modern society and the Amish. Weir uses such techniques as contrasting characters along with ironic juxtaposition.
Elaine and Rachel are contrasting characters in which Weir uses to introduce to the audience the different expectations of a woman in both the Amish and the “English world”. The slight similarities of the two however are they are both single mothers without a husband however Elaine has John just as Rachel has Eli, which notifies the audience of the
150-200 word
23rd
Section One 1. How does Weir use symbolism to convey ideas in witness?
Peter Weir uses symbolism to convey ideas throughout the film witness with representations of cultures, the Amish and the modern society. These symbols include John Books gun, Rachel Lapps bonnet and the Samuels explores Johns life is visually represented with the keys, id, money and police badge and a hand gun, these are all high modern day society items. The gun is another symbol which represents violence and the power of the “English” and to the Amish “only god should have the power to take away a man’s life”.
The bonnet is a symbol of Rachel’s life and beliefs, however she takes it off putting it aside before seeing John as if she’s momentarily putting that life to hold and joining John and the modern society. During this time her and John share a romantic dance together and result with a sexual pause with Eli to interrupt and warn Rachel of being shunned.
When John first arrives to the Amish community he brought with him the violence and corruption from the outside world. Restoring the birdhouse he once destroyed before leaving returning the Amish community to its original state. Weir uses the birdhouse to represent a “clash of cultures” with the peaceful Amish being invaded by the violent “English”. 2. How does Weir present the theme of cultural divide within the film?
Peter Weir presents the theme of cultural divide within the film through contrasting the differences between the modern society and the Amish. Weir uses such techniques as contrasting characters along with ironic juxtaposition.
Elaine and Rachel are contrasting characters in which Weir uses to introduce to the audience the different expectations of a woman in both the Amish and the “English world”. The slight similarities of the two however are they are both single mothers without a husband however Elaine has John just as Rachel has Eli, which notifies the audience of the