More than anything else, journeys offer challenges that lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the wider world. These experiences and obstacles are essential to develop new perceptions and attitudes to reshape one’s identity. The journey is equally as important as the arrival, it is what brings us to our destination.
Through a variety of written and visual texts, these notions of the journey are explored in Peter Weirs 1985 film Witness and Robert Frost’s 1916 poem The Road within. The process of an inner journey as a result of a physical one is portrayed through phases of movement and standstills, allowing the composers to convey their ideas on physical journey to the audience.
The Film Witness conveys a journey of awakening with
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As all Amish participate in building the barn, a sense of tranquillity and harmonious teamwork can be seen showing the value of community. Book has come to a realisation that the Amish rely on one another, he is willing to help them. Book was voluntarily participating in the construction of the barn. This is demonstrated through a low angle shot of Book sawing and hammering the wood into place. This indicates to the audience that Book has come to an understanding about the Amish customs and way of life and that he is willing to involve himself into their community. Daniel and John books mutual respect for each other is symbolised in the sharing of a drink, conveying acknowledgement from the Amish people of the Englishman. The significance of the scene to Book’s journey is to illustrate his changing perspective of the Amish and their way of life and appreciation of the simple things in life that are often taken for granted.
‘But its my way ‘
The poem The Road Not Taken written by Robert Frost, published in 1916 explores the metaphor of a journey being more important as the arrival, as the text delves into decision making determining your future as you reach ‘a fork in the road.’
In the last stanza ‘Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference’ it is not known wether the decision was good or bad yet that it made a significant effect.
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During the final goodbye scene Book looks out at the long road stretched in front of him, a road which leads to another life and another world. This refers to the concept that journeys are essential as he is leaving changed, with a new understanding of himself and others around him.
Witness reveals many themes and elements based around the idea of change as a result from a physical journey. The theme of good vs evil is conveyed as Book’s previous beliefs on guns alter when he is with the Amish. This shows his beliefs and attitudes adjusting as a result of the challenges and journey taken.
John Book previously used to act out in violence, having his gun by his side as a form of protection. Book is a man who lives by the law and he has to adjust to an environment in which the usual rules by which he lives by no longer apply. As violence enters the Amish community
Book drops his weapon and surrenders in order to protect Rachel. Gun symbol of violence and evil. Once he drops it, it illustrates the power of language over the weapon and provides the audience with seeing John Books changing ways from his experience in the