The
Amish way of life
|
Witness
as
a documentary:
Illustration
in the film
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ORDNUNG:
BASIC PRINCIPLES
The
Ordnung
regulates
private, public, and ceremonial behavior.
Members
must
speak speak a German or
Swiss dialect.
It is forbidden
own a television, radio, camera, or computer.
Divorce is
forbidden.
Joining
the military is
forbidden.
It
is
taboo
to
wear jewelry or any other ornament or garment that emphasizes
vanity.
Community
members are are
not allowed to sue anyone
to sue anyone.
It
is ftorbidden
to
tap
electricity from public utility lines. |
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Eli, is very conservative and encourages Rachel to respect the
laws of the Ordnung to avoid getting shunned.
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Throughout the whole movie we see the distinction between men and
women's clothings. Women have to wear a long black dress and cover
their head with a bonnet while men must wear black pants, a white
(or dark blue) shirt and a top hat.
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During the opening scene, for Rachel's husband's funeral the Amish
do the funeral rite is in German or at least a German dialect.
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In the opening scene we see the Amish going to the ceremony with
their horse drawn buggies.
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The only ones using a camera in the movie are the tourists who
harass the Amish with their devices. Furthermore, John has to go
to town to use the payphone when ever he needs to make a call.
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We never see Samuel going to school or getting any kind of
education.
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We can suppose that Rachel wasn't the happiest she could be with
her late husband but getting a divorce.
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The Amish have a zero tolerance policy towards guns and violence
so there is no way for them to join the army.
-Rachel
has no pieces of jewelry so she can't wear any.
-During
the scenes where young troublemakers come to annoy the Amish they
could be sued for harassment but it goes against the community's
principles plus, Eli didn't want John to intervene at first.
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During the first bit of the movie, at sundown we see the Amish
harvesting what seems to be wheat with garden forks and collecting
it in a wain.
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During the movie we see that the Amish only use candles to see at
night.
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SHUNNING
Based
upon religious scriptures, the Amish believe that
members
who openly sin again traditional church doctrines must be purged
from the church as a warning and safeguard to maintain the purity
of the church.
Members
who are excommunicated and shunned are
avoided
by active members in all social and business activities.
However,
the
offenders are always welcomed back to the community if they
repent.
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During
Rachel and Eli's confrontation, Eli warns his daughter-in-law that
she could be shunned because of the way she acts with John.
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AMISH
HISTORY
Mennonite
and Amish history is generally thought to begin
on
January
21, 1525
in
Zurich,
Switzerland.
Who
was Jacob Amman? What did he do? When? Where?
In
1693, a young Mennonite leader, from the Alsace region of
modern-day France, named Jacob Amman formed his own Christian
fellowship because he felt that the Mennonite Church did not
exercise enough church discipline or maintain a strong enough
spiritual life. Jacob Amman's followers began to be nicknamed -
you guessed it - the Amish.
When
did the Amish first migrate to the USA?
It
is believed that the first group of Mennonites settled in 1683 in
Germantown which, today, is a part of Philadelphia. When land
became available in the area which is now known as Lancaster
County, Mennonite settlements were started and flourished. The
first migrations of the Amish began in the 1720's.
AMISH
BARN-RAISING
An
Amish barn raising is an important example of
the
selfless practice of assisting one's relatives, neighbors and
community through life's many hardships that characterizes the
Amish people of Lancaster County. It is such close-knit devotion
and loyalty that has protected the community over the generations.
In
fact, the Amish barn raising experience becomes a social
occasion bonding the families and neighbors in mutual assistance.
Tragedy is turned into hope, and joyful playing can be seen among
the children.
In the movie there is a long scene where the Amish, along with
John work togetjer for a barn-raising for a newly married couple.
This scene also features the Amish sharing a great meal, drinking
lemeonade and talking.
|
Ø
In
the movie there is a long scene where the Amish, along with John
work together for a barn-raising for a newly married couple. This
scene also features the Amish sharing a great meal, drinking
lemeonade and talking.
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AMISH
RELIGION & BELIEFS
Amish
religion is based upon the
basic tenets of early Christianity and a desire to be faithful to
God
They
believe that the
Bible is the Word of God and that the Church is the body of Christ
fulfilling God's purposes on earth.
Amish
beliefs also emphasize the
importance of humility, obedience, and simplicity. They believe
that true Christians should never use violence or force. The Amish
will follow the Word of God even if it conflicts with the rule of
the government.
They
believe that true Christians should
never use violence or force
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Rachel
asks her son to say his prayers when they are staying at Elaine's
house.
The
Amish are very simple starting with the way they dress and the
lifestyle they have : no electricity, no obedience to a force that
isn't God...
In
the movie Witness, Amish people are shown through their simplicity
and their untolerance towards guns and violence. We can clearly
see that they are all outraged when they known that John has a gun
especially Eli and Rachel who were scared to death when Samuel was
playing with John's gun even if the bullets were taken out.
|
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Although
modest
and
simple
the typical Amish house reflects the importance of the
family, daily work, and humility.
Amish
homes are usually
large with
two stories since many Amish families consist of six
or seven
children.
The homes tend to be plain
and
are usually painted white, green, blue or brown which are the
colors
of nature.
|
We
don't see the houses in detail but in the first scene, we see the
Amish village in almost its entirety and the houses are white and
simple.
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AMISH
CHURCH SERVICES
In
Lancaster County, there is a tradition that there is a tradition that Amish church services are held in the homes of the congregation
This
Amish tradition expresses the_simplicity, purity, and community that is so essential to the Amish
faith and way of life
The Amish women are required to prepare the communal meal which is served at noon in the home of the member hosting the service.
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After the funeral, women are reunited in the kitchen and they are cooking the meal.
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AMISH
WOMEN
Amish
women are expected to place the needs of their family, church, and community above their own
They
are responsible for managing the household, preparing the food, sewing and ironing the family clothes, and assisting the needs of their neighbors.
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'We can see that Rachel's main concern is to protect her son so she puts his safety before her own. She is also always shown cooking or cleaning the house or helping the members of the comunity.
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AMISH
CHILDREN
Amish
children are disciplined to be respectful and obedient to their elders.
To prevent their children from becoming spoiled , the parents
teach their children to "surrender" their selfish will
as opposed to always trying to get trying to get their own way.
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At first Samuel was a very shy kid. He listens to his elders and his mother. But the murder changed him. He is still quite shy and polite but more outgoing and tolerant as far as violence is concerned.
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AMISH
CLOTHING
Old
Order Amish men and boys generally wear wear dark suits without lapels which fasten with hooks rather than buttons
Quote
6 items of clothing that women and girls wear:
1.dresses with full skirts
2.aprons
3.black shoes
4.twisted bun at the back of the heard or the nape of the neck.
5.white or black cap
6black bonnet and shawl
What
do they never wear?
1._ Jewelry
2.Makeup.______________________
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We never see Rachel or any other Amish women with jewels or make-up. They keep it very simple since it's the main Amish rule.
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It is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success in a society where upward mobility is possible for everyone. The American dream is achieved through sacrifice, risk-taking and hard work, not by chance. Both native-born Americans and American immigrants pursue and can achieve the American dream. In contrast to other political and economic systems, such as communist dictatorships, America’s free-enterprise system makes possible the circumstances that allow individuals to go beyond meeting their basic needs to achieve self-actualization and personal fulfillment.
This document redifines the notion of the American Dream, this graph is very recent (2011) because money has now taken the biggest part as opposed to the first document where it had little influence (4%). Nowadays happiness is having enough money for retirement. Education is less important since it represents only 5%. Which means it's as "useless" as owning a car and/or starting a business. Which is a sad reality but it's linked to the kind of society we live in, where money is almighty. Nowadays, the American Dream is not about opportunity or family or freedom, but just about having enough money for the rest of your life. 
