Character Analysis: Fiddler On The Roof

Should one's own customs and traditions change to accommodate for modern culture? That same question is answered in the light hearted musical, Fiddler on the Roof in which the main character, Tevye a traditional Jewish milkman, is faced with answering. He and the play answer it through the plot, the characters and even the costumes. To begin with, the main plot of the story was about Tevye’s daughters wanting to pick their own husbands instead of having the father pick for them which was a tradition. For instance, one of Tevye’s daughter, Tzeitel was originally was supposed to be married to the town butcher who was picked by her father Tevye, but she already had plans to marry the poor tailor, Motel. This shows how Tevye has to decide to keep his tradition, or given to his daughter’s modern ways. This also shows how the old traditions might have to change. Furthermore, two other daughters of Tevye have also wanted to pick their own husbands instead and both got what they wanted, but Tevye had to give much thought and time to answer them. This shows how the traditions once thought to be never changing are
First off, in the beginning of the play most of the characters wore the traditional Jewish attire from the prayer shawl to their hats and scarves. This shows that most people believed in their traditions even though they did not know what they meant. This also shows how devoted the characters and willing they are to follow traditions. In addition, Perchik, the revolutionist and lover of one of Tevye’s daughters, does not wear any traditional clothing neither Jewish or Christian. This shows how he is the main character who is wanting change. This also shows how Perchik can be thought of as the antagonist in the eyes of the traditional Jewish characters since he goes against their logic and beliefs. In short, the costumes show each character's belief and traditions that stay or