John
Book is a very deep character who was “a vulnerable man who is subject to the
same misjudgment and mistakes as everyday people”(Pfeiffer 151). The everyday
people John Book also grows through his experiences. The
primary change that John Book undergoes is his understanding of community. John at first has a very small sense of
community. Even the closest people we
see to Book are kept at arm’s length. First
his sister is kept out of the picture on why there is a women staying with him
and a binding moment such as who she is currently dating is instead turned into
a lecture. Likewise, Book’s partner, who
one would think could be of aid, is simply left waiting by the phone for Book’s
newest order. When Book is with the
Amish he witnesses what real community is like.
They look after one another and genuinely help. Book witnesses this and eagerly
participates in the community raising the barn.
He even defends the community when he attacks the man harassing the
buggies.
Another
way in which Book grew was in his understanding the fundamental human identity. This understanding is clearing lacking in the
way Book treats other people. He is isolated
in the police station and the way the traits the man in the bar. In his actions he acts like he is alone. The other people are very simply objects to
Book. In the Amish community Book sees
the way that they treat every person with respect and acknowledgment. He begins to see the power in making these
personal connections. 
Book
also learned the importance of connecting with nature. The film does not describe this through words
but though imagery. The city is depicted
as dark and distant. It does not allow
life to prosper. There is nothing that is
green or living either. This is starkly in
contract to the Amish valley. It
flourishes surrounded by green rolling hills and bright blue skies. He is where life can live unlike the stifling
air of the city.
The
one trait that was beyond Book was the ability to not be riled up by useless
fights. Book was violent throughout the
whole film. He fought in the bar and the
garage which lead him to the Amish. This
fighting lead him to thee new insight he acquired. It would then make very little sense that him
to change his ways. Yes the Amish are
pacifist but when one sort of action brings an onslaught of good fortune one
would not amend that action. It makes sense
that Book would continue to be the same violent man as always.
I used the same reference in regards to John Book's assimilation into the Amish lifestyle and the title of the film. As much as the title of the film is clearly referring to little Samuel Lapp, John Book himself was a witness. In the courtroom, the witness is usually the sole person (or among the few) who see what actually happens in the act under investigation. John Book is the only non-Amish character who really sees and understand the community that Samuel Lapp and Rachel Lapp have come from. The tourists abuse the peaceful acceptance and respect the Amish have for the English when in town and obviously the dirty cops are just every kind of awful. John Book's process of changing in all the ways that everyone has mentioned so far are his own sort of witnessing. Following this line of character definition, it still makes sense that he is only a witness. He can not fully be Amish because of his propensity for violence. On another note, your point of the importance of a connection to nature is fabulous. Visually, it makes sense that the violence is born and bred in the city whereas the truth and safety of the Amish valley is whats flourishes.
ReplyDeleteSmith – Comment
ReplyDeleteI liked the honesty and strait forwardness of your blog as it went strait to the three points in which Book changed and one where he did not. Your first point of change was his understanding of community which I find to be the most important because that sense of community is what brought meaning back into the life of Book. In this movie, Book finds out what is truly important and what actually needs the most attention. Learning the simple life is exactly what the doctor ordered. The second point about the power of making personal connections and why this is important in our human identity is right on point. Without real connection and relationships, meaning and identity are almost impossible to find. Although I think the simple life that you mentioned in the first point covers the connection with nature, it is definitely one of the changes Book faces on his path. I personally believe that one of the changes was in fact his violence. He made sure to only use violence selectively. Given the Amish do not accept violence at all, he was shunned and turned away but not before he learnt the importance of using his words. He would never have stopped to ask the bully nicely to stop before he punched him. He is not the same violent man but still violent to a point.