Paradise Road Context Essay

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“Conflict brings out the best as well as the worst in humanity.”! Conflict is an integral part of being human in everyday life and we as individuals have to find ways to cope with conflict in order to survive. Individuals encounter conflict in a variety of forms and situations and how individuals respond is uniquely different due to individuality and morals of when thrown into an alien situation. In times of conflict, ordinary people are affected both directly and indirectly. Faced with situations that force change, many individuals explore a side to themselves that they didn’t know existed prior to the conflict. Individuals may find that good qualities shine through in times of conflict and others demonstrate that in times of conflict, circumstances are harsh and act accordingly, demonstrating negativity. Regardless of how individuals respond to conflict, the response in which individuals demonstrate are extraordinary and whether individuals respond positively or negatively, remarkable courage, resilience and leadership is shown in the beliefs of individuals. ! ! When faced with conflict abnormal to everyday life, it is shown that individuals can make extraordinarily positive changes in order to overcome conflict. In Bruce Beresford’s “Paradise Road,” Adrienne Pargiter, the British wife of a tea planter, displays her natural leadership qualities in the face of conflict when amongst hundreds of women and children thrown into a prisoner of war camp in the remote forest environment of Sumatra. In the aftermath of Wing’s gruesome death, Adrienne responds with her moral belief at the healing power of music and with a desire to unite the women together, she creates a vocal orchestra. In creating so, Adrienne is forced to break down class barriers when meeting Margaret Drummond, a missionary who uses spiritual comfort combined with her joy of music to positively encounter the deir
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