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Examples Of Free Will In Pleasantville

Decent Essays

Throughout history, the concepts of fate and free will have been questioned and continuously sought after. As a result, many films have been introduced to allow audiences to further question the matter. The movies 1984 and Pleasantville are two exceptional examples. However, only one accurately portrays the fact that one’s life is not predetermined, but instead is led by individual choices. Pleasantville, directed by Gary Ross, takes a more direct approach on the topic of fate and free will, persuading viewers to wholeheartedly agree.
The film Pleasantville begins in the 90’s with siblings, David and Jennifer. Both live very different lives under the same roof and in the same school. David is a shy and quiet outcast whereas Jennifer is becoming …show more content…

When Jennifer (known as Mary Sue) decides to stay in and read instead of going out with her newfound boyfriend, Skip Martin, she then turns to technicolor the next morning. Ross says, “as David and Jennifer give the startled inhabitants of Pleasantville the knowledge of free will, the world begins to change. Ross opts for a staggering visual metaphor, in that small pieces of the world begin to take on rich, saturated colours” (Scott Macdonald).
The movie Pleasantville explains the idea that pleasant is not always a positive notion. The town was ‘pleasant’ because its inhabitants were unaware of free will. Their fate originally seemed to be predetermined. However, when free will was discovered, the town became an interesting place to live, changing daily. There was clearly an argument against technicolor and the idea of change. Nevertheless, everyone eventually realizes that they possess free will and each want to utilize it in some way. Even the Mayor, completely set in his ways, ultimately lashes out and shouts at Bud, immediately changing him to …show more content…

Instead, it takes an abstract approach to the controversial subject. Although the film revolves around fate and free will, it does not result in a distinctive position in either direction. The audience is left to question the notion of fate, whereas the result in Pleasantville is indisputable.
The film 1984, based off of George Orwell’s novel, revolves around a man named Winston living in a dystopian society called “IngSoc” (English Socialism). He spends his time changing history in accordance with what the totalitarian government demands. However, Winston is guilty of what is called “thoughtcrime”: the disagreement with or lack of belief in the oligarchy and war. He also keeps a secret journal of his thoughts, an extremely dangerous decision.
Winston travels to “proletarian” areas to involve himself in activities such as soliciting a prostitute, buying razors and eventually purchasing a secret room. He then begins to interact with another member of his society, a woman named Julia. They partake in other criminal activities such as sex, and eating “real” foods like sugar and coffee. They decide to live an alternate life in the room he is

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