Conflict Perspectives In David Gutterson's 'Snow Falling On Cedars'

Module C: Conflicting perspectives

Composers use a variety of mediums to present an argument within an event, personality or situation resulting in the conflict of perspectives. David Gutterson uses Snow Falling on Cedars to explore conflicting perspectives on personal and political levels including: • Justice and in justice • Truth and inaccuracies • Tolerance and prejudice
Snow falling on cedars
David Gutterson using narrative techniques: - Circular narrative structure
Uses this device to help narrate and identify the conflicting perspectives thematically directing action through the forum of the court case. - Done by limited point of view, flashbacks, and framing - Abundant use of flashbacks in the portrayal of Ishmael;
o From being a young, naive child: “inside of the tree he felt ... never be discovered there” o To a numb, static, disillusioned state: “if you’re going to remember something like that... defendants expression... keep yourself fair. Otherwise you’re been subjective in a way that is not fair to the accused” o And disbelief in God: “it did not matter whether he agreed with her about God... he had fooled himself for years into thinking otherwise”
Observers learn about Ishamel’s morale turmoil: “the world was one and the notion that one may kill another over a small patch of it did not make sense
= We see a prejudice perspective surface
Omniscient narration in return creates an inner conflict within Ishmael as to whether needs to be prejudice or tolerant.
A time to kill
An accurate and dramatic depiction of a small southern community which faces segregation, racial injustice and prejudice values head on displaying the psychological effects on a society in the south and its judicial system
Incident of rape becomes the platform for social outcry Rather then telling one complex story line it jumps around showing a broad collection of characters – few of whom get developed but many who come to conclusions - Forms a narrative mural which reveals both ends of the political spectrum and perspective - Similar to SFOC the intention of the circular narrative structure yet follows a linear timeline
As Story unfolds, movie focuses on the racial injustice from the intense emotions of hatred within the characters. - Most significant relationship been that of Jake and Carl lee: forced to transcend their fundamental differences and work together for the same cause - Similar to Ishamel sharing Hatuse with Kabuo: puts aside differences - Jake Brigance tries to sympathise with Carl Lee yet always has white racial dominance: “the fact is that you are just like the rest of them. When you see me you don’t see a man, you see a black man”
Prescence of the Klu Klax Klan, both as an antagonist force and as the embodiment of blind hatred that exists in the form of racism. - Schumacher addresses this antagonist force by playing with the visual sense of size; As the KKK walk into town they are reflected on a glass window which reflects them 3 times their height leaving a sense of intimidation. - Conversely the NAACP’s prescence in opposition to the KKK is significant in addressing the conflict of perspectives.
The camera angles also represent and address racial prejudice.

Justice and Injustice: Snow falling on Cedars
Symbolism used in SFOC to parallel with the characters conflict in perspectives - Snow blizzard setting which coincides with nature of the court case - Uses destruction of the blizzard setting to represent the notion that all is equal and deserves justice within the uncontrollable nature yet human perspectives and decisions are what produces the justice turmoil: “All human claims to landscape were super sided, made null and void by the snow. The world was one and the notion that a man might kill another over a small patch of it did not make sense” - Symbolism of snow setting conflicts in perspectives as it changes from having a destructive view to an empowering justice: “that the world was silent and cold and that in this lay its terrible beauty”
Chooses to emphasise Kabuo’s facial expressions throughout the trial to represent what it means to receive justice or experience injustice: “his stillness suggested a disdain for the proceedings; others felt certain it veiled a fear for the verdict that was to come” - Conflict in perspective towards Kabuo raises the issue whether the trial is just or based on racial prejudice
I am Sam
I am Sam directed by Jessie Nelson.
Director has chosen to unfold the perspectives in a linear timeline in contrast to SFOC with an emphasis placed on the lighting and change of tonal background = to contrast each character within the eyes of the law and morale justice
Irony of Sam seen as the ‘unfit’ father due to disability with a loving relationship to daughter: “people worry you’re not smart... no one doubts you love your daughter” - Contrasting with Rita accepted as the ‘normal’ mother yet with dysfunctional family: “and its not perfect, and I’m not a perfect parent... I forget he’s just a little
kid” = Prose’s question whether trial is just or unjust
Lighting: sets atmosphere, tone. - Whenever we see Sam and Lucy interact: warm, fuzzy hues of yellow - Official domain: lighting changes to dark, cynical tints of blue = director chooses such a contrast in lighting and colours to manipulate its audience into sympathising with Sam in deserving justice yet dialogue of opposing lawyer suggest otherwise: “ I’m not talking about the rights of the parent... it is clear that ones intellectual capacity... has no bearing on their ability of love”
The legal facts presented against Sam: “entrusting an 8 year olds welfare... hands of mental retardation” parallel against the facts presented against Kabuo: “nonetheless from Ishmael’s perspective this inclement whether should not be allowed to overshadow trial of Kabuo... and affair of a different sort and of a greater magnitude”. The director addresses the issue of morale injustice or justice much similar to David Gutterson’s portrayal of Ishmael been diverted from faith and numb to relationship.
The cinematic techniques compliment the characters perspectives much like the snow blizzard setting compliments the court case.
Both composers use their techniques to address a conflict within the perspectives of whether the defendant expresses justice or injustice.