Williams's Inner Conflict example essay topic

"If you want Conflict try to change something " Conflict manifests itself into many shapes and forms. Conflict can be defined as a struggle or contest between individuals or parties for power. The struggle ultimately changes the status quo and brings about an imbalance in the existing situation. The change in the status quo could be either positive or negative. In Finding Forrester composed by Gus Van Sant, The poem, "Then and Now", by Oodgeroo of the Tribe Noonuccal and the article on Mahatma Gandhi by Ravi Kumar we find that conflict manifests itself into Inner, Moral and Socio-economic forms, amongst others. Ben O kri, the famous Nigerian novelist states "A man's greatest battles are the ones he fights within" In the film "Finding Forrester" William Forrester shows us his inner conflict as he creates a utopia by living in his own cocoon and is oblivious of the world outside.

William is hesitant as to whether he should embrace the world or continue to live in this cocoon. The constant cleaning of the windows of his apartment, and the use of binoculars to 'spy' on the world outside, is indicative of his own insecurities. The use of binoculars is clever as it indicates that William wants to reconcile with society by bringing the world closer to him. Williams's inner conflict grows from guilt and self blame because he thinks that he caused his brothers death. "He survived the war and yet I let him drive" This insinuates that William's remorsefulness of his brothers death. William initially thought that the only way to overcome his fear was to isolate him from society; however Jamal influenced William to face his fear and come to terms with it.

William cycles to Jamal's school to save him from losing his scholarship. This shows us that William is trying to break free from the inner conflict within him. The composer uses the high angle camera shot to show William's struggle amongst the large masses of people at the subway. Once again this ongoing inner conflict is portrayed. This is evident that William is winning this battle and eventually something positive comes out of it.

The change finally comes about when William tells the school that Jamal Wallace wrote that article. Thereby finally embracing the world over and above himself Socio-economic conflict can best be described as a disagreement between social needs of society and economic needs. This conflict is depicted in the poem "Then and Now" by Oodgeroo of the Tribe Noonuccal. In the poem a lonely man dreams of the tribe "laughing as they hunt and swim" but suddenly his dreams are shattered by the sounds of "rushing cars and hissing train's". As the man walks alone in the 'teeming town' he is astonished by the socio-economic developments that have changed his very culture and being. "I have seen corroboree, where that factory belches smoke".

This shows that the cultural heritage that existed with the Aboriginal people has been washed away with the rampant economic developments that the 'white man' has implemented. The poet skilfully portrays this by saying "children of nature we were then... Now I am civilised and work in a white way". This socio-economic conflict which the poet portrays also bears serious inner conflict. This is when then the poet goes on to say "Now I have a dress, now I have shoes... better when I had a dilly bag, better when I had nothing but happiness".

So, while the poet has undergone a total transformation from near primitive existence to a so-called 'civilised' transformation, the poet is not happy, and would rather not have any transformations. In this instance then one can say that the converse of "If you want conflict, try to change something' applies, meaning that the poet does not want conflict therefore does not want to change anything! In the article on Mahatma Gandhi we see the other forms of conflict namely moral conflict. One of the great lessons which Gandhi has preached so convincingly in our time is that "Non-Violence is the law of our species". Here the theme of moral conflict comes into play. That if you want something, you can achieve it without conflict.

Gandhi believed that the process of patience, persuasion and perseverance for attainment of peace, love and harmony. Gandhi successfully demonstrated to a world, weary of wars and continuing destruction, that adherence to Truth and Non-Violence not only applies to individuals but also to all nations of the world. Gandhi's principles have successfully been implemented by other great leaders of our time like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King (Jnr). The theme of moral conflict is portrayed in Gandhi's description of his seven social sins:" Politics without Principles Wealth without Work Commerce without Morality Education without Character Science without Humanity Worship without Sacrifice". Each of the above texts portray that conflict manifests itself in many shapes and forms. That if there is going to be conflict then that conflict should bring about change for the good of society.