Comparative Analysis of The New World Story - Essay Example

The New World Affiliation Terence Malick’s “The New World” is a 17th Century story developed in a historical background set up in ancient America. Malick’s intention is to illustrate the different social aspects that arise as a result of cultural exchange between nations, communities and individuals. This is well captured in the interaction s of the stark lifestyle contrasts of the developed colonialists and native savages (Malick, 2005). However, through an unbiased perspective the story propagates new meaning and importance of national identity and culture. He therefore achieves in displaying various subjective themes such as: patriotism, colonialism, religion, commerce, love and social development to highlight the round figure of never ending opportunities and challenges. In the story’s plot structure and development, the writer manages to affect the viewers’ rational judgment on characters’ feelings and moods based on the different evolving events and situations. Through this, one sees into the story by appreciating the characters’ behavior in response to situations (Malick, 2005). For instance after, John Smith’s capture by the Powhatan chief, transitionally defines Pocahontas’ character from a gentle, naïve adolescent girl to a courageous native who believes in the sanctity of life regardless of cultural differences. Thus it subtly defines her overall character as a virtuous, good natured character setting the tone for viewers’ expectations from her film role. Later on, when John Smith settles within the natives’ community in Virginia, we gradually learn to know him as a noble, open minded and tolerant individual compared to the typical carefree, adventurous and uncultured Englishman earlier depicted. Also, the film proceeds to highlight different themes affecting the social livelihoods in the 17th century set up. These themes help in outlining the various disciplines that create the plot background and consequently engage viewers in history’s awareness. In the first scenes, when bringing the characters to light, the arrival of captain Newton and Smith with their expedition ships signifies England’s reliance on commerce, trade and adventure as much as it leans to support the England’s colonization expeditions (Malick, 2005). This is even exemplified clearly when, after setting up and settling in, Smith is sent to the Algonquin village to trade for food and supplies. Thus trade facilitated the eventual interaction for development and cultural exchange that culminated in a marriage between John Rolfe and Pocahontas. In addition, trade and commerce helps in acknowledging Smith’s adventurous character that is associated with the English. Symbolism is also well captured within the film’s plot. It is well understood through John Smith’s experience within the natives’ community. John experiences a transformation of values and identity as he better understands the natives through interaction with Pocahontas that in an English perspective is thought of as utopia. Hence the film’s title “The New World” is symbolic and captures the essence of the story. The English are bewildered by the naivety of the natives and even label them “savage” due to their apparent state of under development (Malick, 2005). Smith interprets that experience as a dream in which he was longing for a new beginning and an opportunity for reinventing himself especially on his return to Jamestown where the situation is typified by urban squalor and lacks the serenity of the Powhatan environs. In the whole, Smith’s experience is symbolic as it captures the longing craved amongst purists from the more advanced nations who wishfully embrace native simplicity compared to the hustle and bustle that comes with civilization. Further, character is also used by the writer to articulately portray the differences between the Algonquin natives and the English men. In typical fashion, John Smith and Pocahontas are split identities that accentuate their backgrounds and cultures (Malick, 2005). John Smith is portrayed as an adventurous, rough and idealistic personality. This goes a long way to champion the widely conceived image of the English as an extravagant, less-cultural, high placed opinion of them. In contrast, Pocahontas is seen as a gentle, naïve but sometimes courageous native, who is faithful to her cultural ideals. This defines the native community as a reserved, selfless, cultured and sensitive people who fortify this opinion in the scene where they go to Jamestown, the English settlement, with food supplies for survival. Another crucial element is the point of view embedded in the story. The writer uses this to bring out the authenticity in the plot’s background. Through history, different points of view are captured in crediting the story where the Powhatan chief exemplifies his community’s point of view by unwavering but tempered implementation of duties entrusted to him (Malick, 2005). This gives credence to the idea of the natives being culturally inclined by depicting a lower level of development and use of native language as a means of communication. Another point of view that is well curved out is the projection of squalor as one of the social ills that plague civilization. As such the film goes further to break down the consequences of such ills to the extent of capturing the utopian ideals that are a point of view commonly held by citizens from developed nations and communities longing for a renewal of the self and values. In addition, another crucial element to the story is in the setting. Bearing in mind that the story unfolds from ancient American myths, the expedition led by Captain Newport and John Smith sets the tone for the viewers. Consequently, it subtly qualifies the historical setting by depicting scenery images of English commerce ventures in America through colonial expeditions in ships. This element is also enhanced in the plot when the English settled and interacted with the natives. Imagery was well used in advancing these ideology further where Jamestown was the more civilized settlement whereas the natives community was customarily set up in an under developed community. This setting works in favor of collaborating with the ancient Pocahontas myth widely recognized in America. The squalor that Smith witnesses on his return to Jamestown shifts additional weight to the ancient setting whereby the imbalanced effects of civilization translates to the social ills that a result pushed the native savages to provide them with food supplies. Thus, through the whole film, the writer has indulged himself in use of different elements to further the different evolving plots to further different themes and ideologies captured in this ancient American myth. Critically, the writer uses these elements to great effect where the various elements are critical in a systematic build up the plot. These elements therefore enable viewers appreciate the “new world” perspective by appreciating Pocahontas’ transformation to English life, which is also a new world for her as much as her native origin is a new world for the English. Reference Malick, T. (Director). (2005). The New World [Motion Picture]. Read More