For what could seem more harmless...more innocent... than chocolate?

Chocolat The movie Chocolat skillfully weaves the themes on the questions on tradition, faith, morality, change, and acceptance in this fairytale-like story, using something as innocuous as chocolate to play a major role in changing the lives of the residents of Lansquenet. When I finished the movie, I was struck by the parallel between the social context of Christ and Vienne; a rigid social atmosphere dictated by the peoples faith, with the Comte a modern equivalent of the Pharisees, and Christs and Viennes acceptance of the gentiles and the river rats, respectively. The norms of Jesus time made it hard for Him to spread His teachings, while the norms of Lansquenet made it hard for Vienne to fit in with its society, especially as she had the bad timing of opening a chocolaterie during Lent. But also common to both is that they prevailed in the end, no matter the problems that came before. Personally, I learned a great many things from this movie, and I especially appreciated many of the subtle symbolisms that were portrayed. Of course, the major one is the symbolism of chocolate. I believe that it represents change, and that it can be both seen as a temptation, and at the same time as freedom. Each character of the movie symbolizes an exaggerated aspect of ourselves in relation to our norms: the Comte, as being righteous; Armande, as being indulgent to the point of personal deterioration; Vienne, as the one following her hearts desire, and many others. But what they all share in common is the desire for acceptance. Our prejudices are what lies between us and others, and as the sermon of Easter Sunday went, our being Christian should not about be who we exclude, but who we include, as Jesus taught us to accept others with love. We should follow GODs laws, but we should also internalize the principle behind them, which is above all, love. In the movie, chocolate somehow represents our connectivity to each other; while we change others, we are also changed in return, just like Vienne was, and speaks of an innate need within all of us for belongingness and acceptance. We should try to expand our horizons and open our minds to change but it should be tempered with a well-formed conscience. All things should be in moderation, and this is already up to our personal judgment. Aside from just being influence by social norms, we should try to develop ourselves so as to be able to discern the truth and act accordingly, so that in all things, GOD may be glorified.

REFLECTION PAPER IN THEOLOGY 7

Submitted by: Pedrosa, Nina Johanna L. BSN 4-A

Submitted to: Ms. Sherma Repol Theology 7 Instructor

August 27, 2013