When personal ideals run counter to national interests

Evangeline 2022-09-13 11:31:05

A young officer from aristocratic background, with his own ideals and understanding of the real world, must fulfill the duties of a soldier—even if it conflicts with his values. The protagonist Harry, just engaged to his beloved Catherine, has to be told to fight in a war far away. He himself told Catherine that he joined the army because of his father, and he didn't want to go to war. Not cowardly, of course, but because he thinks such wars and sacrifices are meaningless. As the Negro said later when he was chatting with the Negro slave at night, who would cross the desert if it was a coward? In the face of possible meaningless sacrifices, he is determined to quit the army and guard his real happiness.

However, reality is cruel. The martial spirit and loyalty to the empire (the Queen) cultivated by the British Empire for hundreds of years are No doubts are allowed. It takes the form of honor, and regards honor (braveness, loyalty, solidarity, death in battle...) above all else. Harry's choice, in the eyes of society, can only be the opposite of honor - shame, and the opposite of bravery - cowardice. He knew he couldn't get his boss's understanding, so he'd rather leave, but to his heartbreak, he couldn't get his beloved Catherine and his friends to understand either. He received 4 feathers - from his three best comrades in arms and his fiancée. It's a shame he can't bear, and he's going to defend his honor and prove that he's not a coward.

Therefore, his tossing is the pain of a thoughtful young man, and it is a huge gap between the ideal and the real world. Unlike his comrades who were elated when he learned that he was going to fight, his return was not because of his loyalty to the Queen or a re-identification of the imperial colonial policy, but because he hoped to gain the understanding of his friends and lovers again. Living in shame in misunderstandings.

All are in the same situation: the powerful influence of a nation's values ​​on young people. Maybe you have your own thinking and understanding, maybe you don't agree with the country - or the policies and actions of the politicians, but you can't get out of this social life, you can't ignore your parents, your friends, your lover's treatment of you Attitude. You care too much about these things, about your friendship, love, and the recognition of you in society. When they can't understand you, how can you fight against the power of the whole society? This is the movie that gave me the biggest thought. When our understanding of society is different from that of most people, how much chance do we have to stick to our attitude? Thinking is one thing, but practicing is another. In many cases, we just pay a little more.

Friendship and love, two comrades-in-arms, best friends, falling in love with the same girl, but not jealousy and intrigue (which seems to be the case with our movies), but mutual respect, and a heartfelt wish for Katherine's happiness. In the fiery emotions, there is also the light of reason and friendship. I believe this is true love.

In this film, elegant aristocratic life, bloody war, touching friendship, sweet and delicate love, cruel colonial rule, backward and savage primitive slave tribes all intersect in one film, while four feathers , A young man's difficult choice between ideal and reality, friendship and love is worth savoring carefully.

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Extended Reading

The Four Feathers quotes

  • Harry Faversham: I've left the army.

    [Ethne laughs in disbelief]

    Harry Faversham: No, Ethne, I have left the army.

    Ethne: Why?

    Harry Faversham: There was talk they might send us abroad. For a year or two. I didn't want to wait that long to get married.

    Ethne: I would have waited. Or come with you. My mother did the same for my father.

    Harry Faversham: Yes, I know, but it tisn't what I wnated for us. You're all that matters to me now.

    Ethne: Where were they going to send you?

    Harry Faversham: They weren't sure.

    [the church door opens and a delivery boy from the army gives Harry a package that contains three white feathers]

    Ethne: [Picking up the feathers from the floor] Is this your friends' idea of a joke? What is it, Harry?

    Harry Faversham: Feathers of cowardice. Yesterday we were informed that our regement would be shipping out to Sudan. That we would be sent to war.

    Ethne: You don't know where they were sending you, you said it yourself. You did it for me. No one in their right mind could call you a coward. Especially not your friends. If there's been some kind of misunderstanding you have to clear it out. You have to go back to the regement and clear it out.

    Harry Faversham: No, I can't.

    Ethne: Then I will. I'll go see Trench, Willoughby and Castleton myself and tell them it's my fault you resigned. You did it for me.

    Harry Faversham: It has nothing to do with you, Ethne!

    Ethne: Then why?

    Harry Faversham: I never wanted to join the army! I did it for my father. I thought I'd serve my commission for a year or two and keep everyone happy and then I could...

    Ethne: Do what? Wait until we were married to tell me the truth?

    Harry Faversham: Ethne, I never meant to lie to you.

    Ethne: No, but you were quite happy to let me deceive myself. Do you think people will let us forget this?

    Harry Faversham: I don't care what people think, Ethne. All I care about is us.

    Ethne: It's not about us, Harry. It's just not about us. Jack would give his life for you.

    Harry Faversham: Don't you think I know that?

    Ethne: Then go back. It's not too late. Tell them you wouldn't have resigned if it weren't for me.

    Ethne: I would have resigned. And I wouldn't have gone to war for anything or anyone.

    Ethne: Then you are a coward.

  • Harry Faversham: When something like this happens you are lost. You don't know who you are anymore and what you're capable of. Unless I do something this is always how people will remember me. A feather. And that is how I will always see myself: a coward. All I know is that I can't live with myself like this.