Black Robe
"Black Robe", a story written by novelist Brian Moore, is a film some say is a "story that preludes to nothing", however, I believe that the film did an excellent job of portraying colonialism, racism, and ethnocentrism. Throughout the whole film, constant reminders of the Europeans efforts to persuade everyone to follow their own beliefs and views of religion were being laid out as the Jesuit priests tried to convince a virgin territory of this "new" way of life. "Black Robe" is a story of a Jesuit priest, Father Laforgue, otherwise known as "Blackrobe", and his efforts to reach a Huron settlement with the aid of the Algonquins. Along the way many hardships arise as he is attacked, imprisoned, and left alone on his quest. Throughout his journey many points are brought up about ethnocentrism and colonialism that leave the viewer pondering his own self on what he had formerly thought was just a part of history read about in history books. His journey was a torturous experience but was the most real depiction of Indian life that I have come across; much more so than "Dances with Wolves", which portrays life as a much easier, happier attitude. Indians had formerly lived a secluded life from t
One of the European colonists, Daniel, was able to accept that he was indeed different from the Algonquins, and he was assuredly looked down upon for it. After falling in love with the Algonquin chief's daughter, Annuka, he was scolded by Laforgue for falling away from his own beliefs; however, Laforgue lacked the words to reason with him about his love for her. Later this move would be beneficial as she uses her unselfish, cleverness to help them escape from the Iroquois after being captured. After Laforgue made fun of the Indians view of an afterlife where souls of men hunt the souls of animals in the forest at night, Daniel retorted, "Is it any harder to believe than a paradise where we all sit on clouds and look at God?" I am sure that this view was seldom followed by Europeans during the 17th century but it did help show the ethnocentrism of the people at the time. He was able to look past what he had always been taught and accept a different view point. Maybe it was too! he Europeans. A life that they had grown very accustomed in which they relied on cooperation and trust of each other as a weapon against climate and enemies. Along with the way of life, there was also the aspect of religion. They had already created their own belief system. There were not too many Indians at that time that a great use for Jesus and Christianity. One scene that portrayed this was of an Indian that wore a cross around his neck which allowed him to get along better with other Europeans rather than his "faith in God." Now there was a conflict. The French coming from Europe were unswaying in their rightness and were willing to travel all the way to America to be possibly killed for their beliefs creating their martyrdom. The Europeans in this movie were driven by their burning faith and an absolute conviction that they were doing the right thing. They were driven by religious belief and personal glory rather than trying to know each other better so that they could test their faith under hardship. They had no idea that what they were trying to do would later wipe the original inhabitants off of the
Some common words found in the essay are:
Father Laforgue, Jesus Christianity, French Missionaries, Black Robe, Chief Chomina, Huron Indians, Brian Moore, Dances Wolves, Graham Sumner, Ethnocentrism Colonialism, black robe, own beliefs, black robe story, huron indians, ethnocentrism colonialism, father laforgue, throughout journey, test faith, french missionaries, follow own beliefs, daniel able, follow own,
Approximate Word count = 1415
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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