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How are objects used as symbols of each world?
The coke machine is a symbol of American Cultural Imperialism. A large company is a symbol of America, like Coca Cola, it is sold worldwide so the culture has spread around with it across the world because you can see it and buy it literally anywhere in the world even in countries like South Africa, China, Russia etc.
Telephones are seen as a threat to the Amish so telephones are not used or allowed in the Amish culture because telephones are seen as a link to the outside world they are a symbol of mass communication which makes the world seem a smaller place because anyone, anywhere can make immediate contact with someone they may know and now with mobile phones it makes it possible for contacting someone, literally, “on the go”. The Amish reject this method of contact.
Cars represent modern day technology because cars are able to get from one place to another in the fraction of the time it takes compared to walking or horse and carriage like the Amish use to travel to other villages. This is contrasted in an important camera shot used to emphasis this contrast. There is a close up of the carriages wheel which then moves in to a wide shot showing the carriage going along the road slowly and a large lorry comes into the shot overtaking the carriage as if threatening the driver of the carriage.
Guns and bullets show what a violent and dangerous society modern America has became as all of the police carry guns with them for protection and many of the public carry or own a gun.
The key scene of the film shows the murder of the man in the toilet which was witnessed by the innocent Amish boy. The shoot-out in the car park, where two members of the public may have been put in unnecessary danger from stray bullets. The violent ending to the film when modern American society intrudes on the Amish way of life and John Book shoots the murderer splattering his blood on the walls of the barn. Rachel and her father are shocked that Samuel has handling a gun but John insists its safe because its not loaded however they explain to Samuel that they, the Amish, are pacifists, conscientious objectors who don’t believe in fighting, unfortunately Samuel has already been corrupted by his one visit to the outside world and replies its alright to kill bad people which the Amish don’t believe in.
Identity tags worn by the police are a symbol of authority and intended to represent law and order. The hypocrisy of modern society is emphasised because the police are corrupt this is shown in the film as the narcotics officer is the man who killed the undercover officer in the toilets because he was getting close to finding out what the narcotics officer had been doing which was selling drugs.
Television advertisements used in the consumer society urging people to spend money and buy goods, they are like brainwashing people to buy and make them think they need the goods.
The American flag is a symbol of the government and state. Many people in America swear allegiance to the flag and country by putting a hand over their heart. It is also a symbol of the ‘American Dream’ where there is religious tolerance and equality of opportunity yet intolerance is shown to the Amish. The Amish have pride in their religion and way of life not in the country as they worship God.
Symbols of Amish Community
The Amish make homemade lemonade which shows self-sufficiency and use natural ingredients to make the lemonade; this reflects their natural and basic way of life. Also they share the lemonade which represents and shows kindness and friendship.
The bell is of religious connotations as it calls people to worship but also emphasises the community spirit as it rings at mealtimes and at times is used as a call for help as this is shown near the end of the film when Samuel rings the bell and the men from the other villages and fields appear over the rise.
The use of water pumps shows the rejection of modern technology and also it is natural spring water that is pumped out of it.
Flour and grain emphasises traditional methods of cooking using basic ingredients. They grow their own crops on a farm and make their own bread, no pre-packed food; no additives or supplements are used by the Amish as they reject the modern way of life.
Preserved fruit is a natural ingredient used to store for a long time also the Amish plan ahead when they want to use it.
Washing lines were used to hang and dry off clothes once they had been hand cleaned, most of the jobs in the Amish community were done by hand which means it took a long time as they use no modern technology to aide them.
Milk came from cows so milking them was done by hand which was hard work and time consuming, milk was also used to heal johns bullet wound as it was a mixture of linseed oil and milk
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In Modern America clothes show individuality of the person wearing that style of clothing also they want to look attractive. Clothes are seen as a status symbol. Clothes stress the differences in society between rich and poor people; there are also divisions in society as there are those who wear designer labels and those who don’t.
Amish stress equality in society as they all dress the same way which is in simple, plain clothes, they also don’t have buttons on their coats as it is seen as a form of vanity. They encourage humility and separation from the world. The Amish women all wear long dresses, between knee and ankle height, they wear a pinafore which is a sleeveless dress, usually worn over a blouse, they wear a headdress which is black before they are married but when they do get married it is a white headdress, don’t wear jewellery and they never cut their hair so it has to be tied up.
The Amish men wear dark suits with no lapels, wide rimmed straw hats or black hats also a special straw hat which is worn for milking the cows, they also wear trouser, braces, blue shirts and black shoes. The older Amish men have beards but none of the men have moustaches as it is seen as vain.
When Rachel offers John her dead husband’s clothes it is seen as a big gesture because it shows him becoming part of their community. Rachel laughs at John when he puts the clothes on as they are too small for him. They are obviously becoming closer, we can sense the intimacy between the. It shows he is starting to accept and fit in with the Amish way of life. John starts helping with tasks in the community like milking and carpentry. He joins in with the raising of the barn emphasising the community spirit. Rachel alters the clothes to fit John and shows how her feelings are changing towards him. Also his old clothes were soaked in blood and this symbolises his old violent way of life.
When Rachel takes off her cap near to the end of the film this symbolises the way she is willing to offer herself to John. She is willing to give up her old way of life and leave with John. There is a long shot of Rachel as she runs to John and then moves to a close up of them kissing each other. Their love and desire for each is now evident. It then moves to a long shot of a police car appearing over the hill. The change in mood and atmosphere is emphasised by the tense dramatic music.
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Sounds are used to create images of each world. In modern America car horns and sirens are a sign of impatience and a hurried lifestyle, telephones and typewriters are a sign of communication and mass media. The jangling handcuffs are a sign of crime because usually someone is about to be arrested and threatening behaviour.
The sounds of the Amish like birdsong, horses, footsteps and silence is a sign of peacefulness, a tranquil atmosphere, at one with the nature and a calm lifestyle compared to the lifestyle of modern America.
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At the start, the music that is played to show the Amish community is peaceful and melodic. In the murder scene the music is tense, and dramatic also the drum beat builds up the tension. The chase at the end builds up and becomes faster as the danger increases also the drum beat helps create and build up tension. The barn raising has uplifting and celebratory music as it shows the community together working. The car radio represents outside world which is forbidden in the Amish community. The love songs fits in with Rachel and Johns feelings for each other as the lyrics go ‘And I do know that I love you, And I know that if you love me too What wonderful world it would be”
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The lighting in the toilet where the officer was murdered is dimly lit, dingy atmosphere and seems threatening. The police office has brash artificial lights. T the night club it is very dark and has a seedy atmosphere and at the fast food café is bright and brash.
In the bedroom scene there is a flickering oil lamp that gives a carry atmosphere. Rachel carries the lamp like Florence Nightingale once did which is also like a mother figure healing John, this emphasises her goodness, kindness and helpfulness towards John. The barn and cowshed shows a dark, early morning meaning hard work. The outside shots of the Amish community are always bright and sunny with natural light and blue skies which give a positive feeling.
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At the start of the film there is a series of long shots where the Amish horse and cart is gradually put into the context of the modern world. In the field there is wheat blowing in the wind. Long shots of carriages and people walking across field to the church, men and women appearing over the rise which sets the scene as there is an immediate sense of community spirit. In the church there are close ups of peoples faces that show concern at the loss of a member of the community who join together to help each other. Long shots of fields, windmills, wells, and water wheels these indicate their way of life. Then there are close ups of the wheels on carriages which is the Amish’s mode of transport. Contrasting communities shown in long shot of carriage the lorry appears behind it and looks threatening towards the carriage.
In the scene where Rachel is bathing it is a long shot of her bathing that then becomes a medium shot when she turns round. There is then a close up of Rachel and Johns faces where we can sense their love and desire for each other. When Rachel and John are parting there is a close up on their faces which are upset. Followed by a medium shot as he drives off after that we see another Amish man have a word with John Book and then continue to her house, there is a hint that they will eventually marry.
In the station there is a long shot of a statue of an angel holding Christ’s dead body, the camera tilts up as if from Samuels point of view, and then shot from over the statue looking down on Samuel its like a guardian angel looking down on him. In the film John Book becomes his guardian angel and protects him.
Conclusion
At the end of the film I feel disappointed that they haven’t stayed together, I think she didn’t go with him because she had lived in a peaceful community all her life and may have been shocked by the intrusion of violence from the outside world. She loves John, but they are from two different worlds and she also has to think about Samuel on whether or not he would be safe living in another world.
The film is very successful in showing the clash of worlds and the differences in community by placing John Book in their society. Variety of techniques used to emphasise the clash. Makes us think of our own lives and violent society.
