Assignment Due 2/28: Choose a scene from the film and describe the scene. Then write your interpretation of the scene and the meaning of it. After that write why you chose this scene and how it relates to the class.
As I watched this silent horror movie for the first time, I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. The reason of this is because of the way the movie was portrayed. I chose the scene when Cesare was ordered to kill Jane. However, when he was going inside the bedroom, Cesare found himself unable to stab and kill Jane. Instead of stabbing her, he reached in to touch her face because of her beauty. But because Jane panics, Cesare kidnaps her instead. However, he falls over from exhaustion and dies and Jane is released. I chose this scene not only because it terrified me when Jane panicked, but also because in this moment Cesare the Somnambulist was under control of his own desire by not killing her as Caligari had ordered. This scene was very powerful because of how it was directed including the colors and the movements of the characters. Expressionism in this film is portrayed through the characters and their facial expressions as well as their nonlinguistic cues. Just by noticing in this scene Cesare's character, it relates to themes covered in class. How Cesare's moves, I feel as if his body language drew attention to the set and shows his internal emotions. Also, the lighting as well as the makeup and clothing contributed in showing gloom and fear in the film.
From the last chapter of the book, when Siddharta was the only ferryman by the river, Siddhartha spoke with great wisdom explaining the flaws of Govinda's life as a seeker:
"When someone is seeking,” said Siddartha, “It happens quite easily that he only sees the thing that he is seeking; that he is unable to find anything, unable to absorb anything, because he is only thinking of the thing he is seeking, because he has a goal, because he is obsessed with his goal. Seeking means: to have a goal; but finding means: to be free, to be receptive, to have no goal. You, O worthy one, are perhaps indeed a seeker, for in striving towards your goal, you do not see many things that are under your nose."
In this passage, Siddhartha is telling his childhood friend, Govinda, the reason why he has not been fulfilled is because he remained a follower instead of experiencing the world by himself. Govinda decided to gain knowledge from teachings instead of experiences and because of this, his mind and emotions remained closed not being able to become part of the world and see the unity of things. The reason why Siddhartha did not find Nirvana at the beginning of his journey is because he got in his own way by seeking it. He became so focused on his search that his obsession over reaching wisdom turned into the only obstacle between him and his inner self/goal. One of the lessons Siddhartha's journey offers is that seeking a goal can distract one from finding that goal. This can be a perfect example when one seeks for love. Love, just as wisdom, is not a concept but an action, a manner of living and a capacity. One can't seek for a manner of living because we don't know what we are looking for and so do not see it even if its under our nose. To look for something, its necessary to know what exactly we are looking for. In Siddhartha, Siddhartha spent most of his journey seeking wisdom, a manner of living, when no one can tell you where to find it; it simply comes when you are ready to receive it. This passage can relate to any individual who strives to reach a goal in life and that's why it stands out from the rest. Personally, It is important to have goals in life but there are events beyond a person's control. This is why goals that become obsession do not get fulfilled. When we stop fighting our fate, that's when we either receive what we are seeking for or move onto better things. In Siddhartha's case, he stopped suffering about his failures and finally gained wisdom and became one with the world.
