Musicals and Morality: Tradition, Tradition, Tradition (Part 2)

Musicals and Morality: Tradition, Tradition, Tradition 
(Fiddler on the Roof)







Some of you know the exact musical where the term "tradition" comes from without batting an eye or straining a memory cell.  For others, it may seem rather strange.  Perhaps to some its some narrow-minded perspective on reading the scripture (you know all that old sound doctrine stuff that moderns are trying to shun).  But to those who live in the village of Anatevka it helps keep life in balance.  Yep, you guessed it, the time honored classic "Fiddler on the roof."  As far as I can tell, it has been a global stage musical since 1964 and became a movie screen addition in 1971.

This musical is jam packed with songs that readily come to the culturally informed mind.  Songs such as: "Tradition" "To Life" or even "If I were a Rich Man."  Its kinda hard to get the picture out of your mind of a rather plump individual dancing in his barn rafters wishing he had more money (belly shaking and all).  The classic has its ups and downs.  I guess I've seen it a dozen or more times over the years.

For those of you who have never seen it, skip this paragraph (WARNING), because I'll ruin the ending for you.  The general plot line goes as follows.  The main character (Tevye) and his family live in a little village of Anatevka. Here's a key fact: the entire village are Jews.  One of these "traditions" is that a matchmaker finds brides for the men in the village.  This idea drives the movie.  The daughters want to get married, the parents have high or low expectation for the future spouse, and the dad approves of the "match" (husband and wife).

The musical itself revolves around Tevye's oldest three daughters finding husbands (one of these men is a Gentile).  The eldest daughter wants to marry a poor child-hood friend (turned seamstress). The next in line wants to marry the village rabbi's son, but ends up marrying a stranger to the village (Jewish of course).  The third daughter marries a Gentile (which causes a great deal of turmoil in their home resulting in shunning his daughter).

So at what point are there concerns with the plot?  Christian morality at stake?  What potential take away's can an Christian audience discern?  I'll answer those questions by identifying certain pertinent facts which arise from the film version itself.  I'll give two examples of this idea.

First, the movie itself pictures animosity of the Gentile nations towards God's chose people, the nation of Israel.  Tevye on several marked occasions, identifies himself (and and his family) as "God's chosen people."  He later makes kind remarks toward a law enforcement official and comments "its a shame your not a Jew."  This particular theme plays out over and over.  Sort of like seeing Psalm Two on the big screen.  Don't forget this musical revolves around a Jewish village.  They are still waiting for the Messiah to come (which is sadly brought out in the end of the movie).

Second, the movie flows around the concept of tradition.  This is one point where Christians can learn from the foibles of the movie.  The movie characters are completely controlled by the concept of tradition.  Tradition, I would define as: this is the way we have always done it.  Caveat: that does not mean the way we've always done is was wrong.  Those who think or do other wise appear strange, radical, or subversive.  The oldest daughter, who wants to marry a poor tailor, goes outside of traditional "match-maker" to make her own match.  Tevye's opening narrative addresses this point on self items such as heading coverings and prayer garments.  As to whether Tevye's conclusion is correct, in the process of breaking tradition, seems to be answered in his third daughters marriage.  The first two daughters marry Jewish men (the first, from within the village; the second, a stranger to the village).  The third daughter expands on this traditional break down further by marrying a Gentile (outside the Jewish people).  This final step ends in the shunning of his own daughter.

There are several points which can tend to make it sad to watch.  First,  as was just mentioned, the shunning of the third eldest daughter, for marrying outside the Jewish people.  Not only did she not want her parents blessing but didn't care much for his views either.  This is a sort of an expansion on her elder sister, who didn't want here dads permission either, simply his "blessing" (after they already determined what they would do).  Second, is the marriage scene finishing the first half of the movie.  Such a wonderful and blessed occasion to be remembered.  But the Gentile police force comes in wrecking not just the wedding but the entire village.  Third, when the second eldest daughter, leaves to be with her beloved who has been taken to a prison camp in Siberia.  She sings such a sad parting song, "leaving the home she loved."  Fourth, when the entire village is evicted by the Gentile authorities.  This is the closing portion of the movie including the main cast members singing "Anatevka."

On a happy or encouraging note, here the parents sing a "sabbath prayer" for or to their children is a continued blessing.  What loving parent would not want to pray for their children's protection from "the strangers ways"  or to be a blessing like Ruth or Esther.  Perhaps even the dancing seen in the bar when they sing "To Life" (minus the drunken condition Teyve walks home in).  More could be mentioned but these are memorable enough.

All in all the musical is entertaining to watch and listen to the music.  Some love it.  Others may not.  Definitely one which my family continues to watch and sing.  And as far as I know, we will continue to watch it and sing its heart warming tunes for many years to come.

Comments as always encouraged.
This musical is definitely worth watching.
Not a perfect article but just some thoughts concerning the musicals basic content.
Enjoy.