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Witness Analysis

Better Essays

2010
HSC English Standard – Module B ‘Witness’
By Aiman Ahamad

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John Book and Rachel Lapp could never have a successful permanent relationship. Do you agree?
Relationships may be permanent or temporary. Different relationship will experience obstacles but may receive considerable rewards. There are many factors that can affect the relationship between people like clash of cultures, their inability to conform to alternate societies and the fundamental values upon which they base their lives. John Book and Rachel Lapp could never have a successful permanent relationship. “Witness” (1985) directed by Peter Weir. The clash of cultures between Rachel and John is a major factor that affects …show more content…

This is reflecting how she is being influenced by John’s presence and not conforming to the Amish values. Rachel is determined to not be negatively influenced by the ‘idle gossip’ about herself and John. In the final moment of the scene John is sitting on the back of the cart while the rest of the men were singing a song in German. This emphasise that he doesn’t belong. This scene exhibits John’s desperateness of trying to be accepted into the Amish community. It also reflects the growing connection of John and Rachel’s relationship as Rachel devalues her culture in order to get closer to John.
Rachel’s attraction to John leaves her with an inner moral dilemma as to conform to and uphold the Amish values, or to give in to her desire and break the cultural rules and be with John. There are several scenes that reflect Rachel’s nonconformity. In the ‘Barn building’ scene where Rachel serves John first emphasise that she is breaking her cultural values in order to be close to John. There are also signs of nonconforming when Rachel removed her bonnet before embracing and kissing John. When Rachel dances with John to the music in the ‘breaking the rules’ scene, she is taking a large step in devaluing her culture as she dances with an ‘English man’ who is not her husband. In the ‘bathing’ scene where Rachel deliberately exposes herself to John, she is inviting him to take advantage of his attraction to her.
The Amish are critical of John as he does not ‘fit in’, meaning he

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