Belonging Is a Stuggle Between Opposing Pressure Speech
Great Expectations – Charles Dickens
The Last Samurai – Edward Zwick
Charles Dickens novel ‘Great Expectations’ presents a stinging social critique of the Victorian system of social class and ranking. It indicates that acceptance within an environment or society can highlight our sense of unity, security and morality, whereas a sense of disconnection from our peers can corrupt the human condition.
Likewise, Edward Zwick’s 2004 movie “The Last Samurai” portrays these same ideas about fulfillment within different societies and the consequences of “not fitting in”.
(1) In Great Expectations, Joe and Biddy are shown as having sound moral values. Joe, the symbol of humanism in the book, says to Pip that there's room for him at the forge!' - Thus reassuring and enhancing Pip’s feelings of fulfillment. The forge is repeatedly highlighted in the book as a symbol of solitude and warmth. Pip later states when leaving Joe, “as if it had been the rustle of an angel's wing!” a metaphorical depiction of Pip’s love for him.
(2) The marshes are throughout the novel depicted as the environment in which Pip feels affinity to most. Pip’s initial years are happy and contented, mainly because not only is he unconditionally accepted and loved by his family and friends, but he also has a meaningful and basic interaction with nature.
(1) Zwick’s “The Last Samurai” depicts a similar significance of relations with an environment. Since Algren’s capture, he begins to understand the Samurai’s moral and ethical values. In the Samurai village, he is accepted at face value and not judged. Working in the fields, living in a Samurai house and training with his peers gives him a strong sense of belonging. This can be seen through Algren explaining that, “there is indeed something spiritual in this place. And though it may forever be obscure to me, I cannot but be aware of its power”. (2) A
The Last Samurai – Edward Zwick
Charles Dickens novel ‘Great Expectations’ presents a stinging social critique of the Victorian system of social class and ranking. It indicates that acceptance within an environment or society can highlight our sense of unity, security and morality, whereas a sense of disconnection from our peers can corrupt the human condition.
Likewise, Edward Zwick’s 2004 movie “The Last Samurai” portrays these same ideas about fulfillment within different societies and the consequences of “not fitting in”.
(1) In Great Expectations, Joe and Biddy are shown as having sound moral values. Joe, the symbol of humanism in the book, says to Pip that there's room for him at the forge!' - Thus reassuring and enhancing Pip’s feelings of fulfillment. The forge is repeatedly highlighted in the book as a symbol of solitude and warmth. Pip later states when leaving Joe, “as if it had been the rustle of an angel's wing!” a metaphorical depiction of Pip’s love for him.
(2) The marshes are throughout the novel depicted as the environment in which Pip feels affinity to most. Pip’s initial years are happy and contented, mainly because not only is he unconditionally accepted and loved by his family and friends, but he also has a meaningful and basic interaction with nature.
(1) Zwick’s “The Last Samurai” depicts a similar significance of relations with an environment. Since Algren’s capture, he begins to understand the Samurai’s moral and ethical values. In the Samurai village, he is accepted at face value and not judged. Working in the fields, living in a Samurai house and training with his peers gives him a strong sense of belonging. This can be seen through Algren explaining that, “there is indeed something spiritual in this place. And though it may forever be obscure to me, I cannot but be aware of its power”. (2) A