In the movie “Far and Away” the two main characters, Shannon and Joseph, were influenced by different forces to move from Ireland to the America. Shannon was a rich, spoiled, and strong willed woman who refused to conform to the ideas of womanhood her mother seemed intent on pushing upon her. Her mother would reinforce the stereotypical ideas of what a true lady of quality should act like anytime Shannon stepped out of line. This pressure was increased by her would be suitor, Stephen, who supported her mother’s view of what a lady should be like and had already begun to exert his influence on Shannon to conform. Shannon’s father, Daniel, felt just as trapped as Shannon but for the most part, did nothing to interfere with his wife’s decisions. For these reasons Shannon wanted to flee Ireland. She wanted to go to America because she felt oppressed in Ireland and because she the idea that America would be a place where she could be free of the constrictions she was currently under. She would be rid of the sexist influences of her mother and Stephen and would be in a country where land was free, everyone prospered, and women were not as oppressed as she felt.
Joseph dreamed of the day he would own his own land. He believed that the true measure and meaning of a man was in the land that he owned and until he had some of his own he would not settle. He had no intention in the beginning of the movie of going to America to get his land even after Shannon told him of the free land they were offering there. He continued to hope that he would be able to own land there in Ireland. Only after his father’s death, his home burning to the ground, his attempted murder of the landlord (Daniel), and his pending death at the hands of Stephen did Joseph consider going to America. His decision was a spur of the moment, life over death situation with no well thought out plan for what America would hold for him. He didn’t make the decision to go as much as circumstances made it for him.
Daniel and Nora, Shannon’s parents, and her suitor Stephen left Ireland after their house burned to the ground by a mob of angry tenants. As they had nothing left to stay there for, they decided to go to America in an attempt to find their daughter. I think Daniel was looking for an adventure and so when the fates had decided he would no longer have a home in Ireland, he found little issue in moving to America. Anything that would bring some sense of excitement and youth to his life he was more than willing to try. They still had money and could afford to go to America and live comfortably.
Stephen went to find his would be wife, I guess. It’s difficult to tell in the movie if his interest was really in Shannon or in the money she represented. He obviously like power, had no qualms about abusing it, and was already beginning to direct Shannon in her actions, but I don’t remember hearing that he actually loved her, I think he just wanted to own her and she knew it. As her owner, he couldn’t possibly let her get away. I don’t think he cared if he was in America or not, he was just following the money.
What are your opinions on the exploitation of immigrants by their own ethinic groups like Shannon and Joseph were? Were Shannon and Joseph being helped or being used?
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I think that the exploitation that Shannon and Joseph experienced in their ethnic groups were ones that were very common during their time. Back then there were certain roles women and men were required to play; that was how society was formed in their lives. I think that as Shannon grew older and started realizing her independence and learning of other ways of life than her own made her want to seek that way of life. As you stated earlier, I also believe that people always see the grass greener on the other side, and in Shannon's case I think she saw greener grass and a life more ideal for her personality in America. However, as we saw in the movie, it's just another life with different struggles. I wouldn't refer to it as exploitation, but just struggles; and I think they were being helped, but felt used. In every situation, we can learn something and I believe that Shannon and Joseph were going through these struggles to learn what kind of life they desired to live.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning I think that they were being used, they were new to the country and they put their trust in the wrong people. They didn't know any better and were naive to think that every one was going to stick to their word. Soon they relized that what they came to America for was not going to come easy and they couldn't rely on just anyone to help them. later on, I think that they found out that they would get what they wanted but had to get it themselves.
ReplyDeleteWell, you have interesting idea about Joseph and Shannon's relationship.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the exploitation of immigrants by their own ethinic groups was constructive and also common. Working with people have similar background makes things easier than work with people have different background. In addition, immigrants have to compete with each other. At that time, most of them were in same condition. THerefore, I say Joseph and Shannon were hepled by that situation.
Interesting question! I think they were both helped and used by their fellow Irishmen. Most immigrants were poor, and they faced tough competition for housing and jobs once they arrived in America. I think this constant competition caused a lot of the prejudice among ethnic groups, and if you are prejudiced against other groups, it is natural to help your own group out compete the others. When Joseph and Shannon arrive in America, they don't know where to go or what to do, and they have little money. The other Irish immigrants helped Joseph and Shannon find a place to live and work. However, these people were also using Joseph because they saw his boxing potential and knew Joseph could earn money for them. So they both helped and used one another.
ReplyDeleteLeaving behind a country with a long history and coming to a new country left Shannon and Joseph open to just about anything. Besides being Irish with no money, perhaps their age and lack of experience for worldly things made more of a difference. Look at the difference it made for Daniel, a man of more age, wisdom and experience, who instead of riding out to claim his land, got sneaky and staked his land by hiding out. Turns out that a majority of the good plots were claimed this way according to some of the history I've read on the subject. Immigrant or not, these people got what they came for.
ReplyDeleteOther than the star power that almost if not fully distracted me from the content of the movie, I was impressed with how well the movie showed racism within the same race of people. I was then amazed at my realization and therefore impressed. Subconsciously, I was began to compare my ways with what was happening on the screen. Other topics such as oppression of the oppressed oppressing other oppressed peoples of different races, specifically natives, was not even remotely represented. To stay at the bar, however, Ron Howard did do a great job of reflecting oppression of the same race and the same class. Shannon and Joseph were being used by a man who was also considered lowly on the early American ladder. However, the theater affect and the emphasized masculinity of Thom Cruise, unfortunately, left a sour taste.
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