John Book
John Book is conveyed as the American societies version of an everyday guy, he holds power within the police system, but not enough when he finds out about the corruption. Through the use of mis-en-scene Book’s behaviour is evident he knows he has power.
“A big guy like me”, this represents that Book not only knows but acknowledges his status by sizing him up against Carter. In the beginning Book’s language isn’t respectful of the Amish ways, as he dismisses the full use of Samuel’ name, and shortens it to “Sam”.
In the beginning the Amish responded negatively with an “English” staying, Book’s efforts to fit in had him wearing Amish clothing, that didn’t fit him, this reflects that John Book didn’t belong/fit in with the Amish way of life. Book also gives up his gun which is seen as a phallic symbol, this happens when he sees how negatively Rachel reacts to the gun, by giving up his means of protection for both him and Samuel, Book is becoming powerless within a powerless society. In the end Eli and the Amish accepts him as he warns Book when he is about to leave. “Be careful among those English”
John Book is the protagonist of the story, the plot development revolves around him and Rachel. John Book explores themes such as:
- Cultural divides not even love can conquer
- Clash of cultures
- The impact of personal choices verses the needs of the community
- The roles of individuals in terms of impacting others beliefs and values
- Different societies have different views and ethics
Memorable Quotes
“If we made love last night, I’d have to stay or you’d have to leave”
“I know you asshole”
“No, no hospital. Gunshot wound, they have to file a report. And if they file a report, they find me. And if they find me, they find the boy.”
“Lady you take my picture with that thing, I’m gonna rip you brassiere off, and strangle you with it….you got that?”
“It’s my way”
“A big guy like me”, this represents that Book not only knows but acknowledges his status by sizing him up against Carter. In the beginning Book’s language isn’t respectful of the Amish ways, as he dismisses the full use of Samuel’ name, and shortens it to “Sam”.
In the beginning the Amish responded negatively with an “English” staying, Book’s efforts to fit in had him wearing Amish clothing, that didn’t fit him, this reflects that John Book didn’t belong/fit in with the Amish way of life. Book also gives up his gun which is seen as a phallic symbol, this happens when he sees how negatively Rachel reacts to the gun, by giving up his means of protection for both him and Samuel, Book is becoming powerless within a powerless society. In the end Eli and the Amish accepts him as he warns Book when he is about to leave. “Be careful among those English”
John Book is the protagonist of the story, the plot development revolves around him and Rachel. John Book explores themes such as:
- Cultural divides not even love can conquer
- Clash of cultures
- The impact of personal choices verses the needs of the community
- The roles of individuals in terms of impacting others beliefs and values
- Different societies have different views and ethics
Memorable Quotes
“If we made love last night, I’d have to stay or you’d have to leave”
“I know you asshole”
“No, no hospital. Gunshot wound, they have to file a report. And if they file a report, they find me. And if they find me, they find the boy.”
“Lady you take my picture with that thing, I’m gonna rip you brassiere off, and strangle you with it….you got that?”
“It’s my way”
Rachel Lapp
Rachel has grown up among the Amish community, this means that Rachel’s morals, ethics and values are different to those among the “English” society. Throughout the film Rachel is seen to have difficulties to keeping with the strict Amish lifestyle, especially when John Book is involved. As an Amish women Rachel is expected to speak and act in a certain way, the audience can see this begin to crack when Book comes into the picture.
In the beginning Rachel is responded towards negatively within Philadelphia because of her Amish way,
“Who are these vagrants, anyway?”
“They’re Amish”
These conveys and ignorance about the Amish lifestyle and community. When Rachel nurses Book back to health, the audience can sense the growing attraction between the two, this is when Book starts to respond to Rachel differently, as time goes on Rachel is beginning to be treated differently by the Amish community because of the amount of time Rachel has spent with English. Rachel begins to question the Amish lifestyle as her attraction for Book grows, in the barn building scene, Rachel doesn’t have her bib on, this is symbolic of her not being in the Amish faith and lifestyle and that she doesn’t completely fit into the category of Amish anymore, throughout the film the audience gets a complete sense of the unresolved sexual tension (URST) between Book and Rachel.
As Rachel is one of the main characters throughout Witness, she is greatly important to the plot development, Rachel beings the sub-plot of the romance between her and Book, as well as questioning her faith and lifestyle, because of her growing attraction towards Book. Rachel is also prominent in the main plot, as her and Samuel were going to visit Rachel’s sister, when they were delayed in Philadelphia. Rachel’s character explores themes like:
- Clash of Cultures
- The impact of personal choices verse the needs of the community
- Gender Roles
- The role of individuals in terms if impacting others beliefs and values
- Identity and Change
- Different societies have different views and ethics.
Memorable Quotes
“When can we leave the City?”
“I just don't like the idea of my son spending all this time with a man who carries a gun and goes around whacking people!”
“You said we’d be safe in Philadelphia”
“You know carpentry, can you do anything else?”
In the beginning Rachel is responded towards negatively within Philadelphia because of her Amish way,
“Who are these vagrants, anyway?”
“They’re Amish”
These conveys and ignorance about the Amish lifestyle and community. When Rachel nurses Book back to health, the audience can sense the growing attraction between the two, this is when Book starts to respond to Rachel differently, as time goes on Rachel is beginning to be treated differently by the Amish community because of the amount of time Rachel has spent with English. Rachel begins to question the Amish lifestyle as her attraction for Book grows, in the barn building scene, Rachel doesn’t have her bib on, this is symbolic of her not being in the Amish faith and lifestyle and that she doesn’t completely fit into the category of Amish anymore, throughout the film the audience gets a complete sense of the unresolved sexual tension (URST) between Book and Rachel.
As Rachel is one of the main characters throughout Witness, she is greatly important to the plot development, Rachel beings the sub-plot of the romance between her and Book, as well as questioning her faith and lifestyle, because of her growing attraction towards Book. Rachel is also prominent in the main plot, as her and Samuel were going to visit Rachel’s sister, when they were delayed in Philadelphia. Rachel’s character explores themes like:
- Clash of Cultures
- The impact of personal choices verse the needs of the community
- Gender Roles
- The role of individuals in terms if impacting others beliefs and values
- Identity and Change
- Different societies have different views and ethics.
Memorable Quotes
“When can we leave the City?”
“I just don't like the idea of my son spending all this time with a man who carries a gun and goes around whacking people!”
“You said we’d be safe in Philadelphia”
“You know carpentry, can you do anything else?”