Modernism In Pleasantville

Two siblings named David and Jennifer wind up trapped in a 1950’s television show called Pleasantville; within this alternate universe residents within this small Midwest town are seemly perfect. Often the 1950’s are described as a time of peaceful simplicity, but the influence of modernism has transformed simplicity into complexity. During this period of time people lives were less complicated; at this time everyone knew their place within the society. For these two siblings their whole reality has changed immensely due to the reasoning that they are now trapped inside a completely new atmosphere. David and Jennifer not only have to attend to fit in, but face many social challenges and issues, such as racism and freedom of speech. In the film

“Pleasantville” by Gary Ross, Ross develops the idea that change is inevitable, along side the fact that life is not as simple as black and white. Therefore, people must consider change about their values and their standards of “normality.”

In the 1950’s the Pleasantville society showcased a time of “pleasantness,” people within that society were set in their ways. “Up until now everything around here has been, well, pleasant.” (Ross) After a period of time this perception changed due the presence of Mary-Sue and Bud who interact with people from Pleasantville thought many different activities. Originally Jennifer/Mary-Sue temporarily hated Pleasantville, but after a short amount of time, the small town began to grow on her and began to change her. Skip was a big influence on Mary-Sue which made her begin to appreciate this small town. The romance between Skip and Mary-Sue had blossomed, but Mary-Sue took certain events to the extreme. Jennifer was the originator who caused change, without her intervention change would not have been inevitable in Pleasantville. Reading books was an activity that Jennifer began to pick up, her reading glasses furthermore symbolized the changes within her. She then rejects an offer to go out with Skip, because she “has to study,” Jennifer showcase traits that Pleasantville is beginning to change her into Mary-Sue. But, Mary-Sue is not the only one facing changes, Mr. Johnson has been as well. Mr. Johnson is immensely fascinated by artwork, therefore Bud introduced Mr. Johnson to an art book. “It's beautiful Bud…” (Ross) This exposed Mr. Johnson to a whole new world, furthermore changing his original values in exchange for new ones.

Throughout the film, Ross showcases that change is inevitable, but consequences do begin to surface once Bud and Mary-Sue begin to interact with Pleasantville citizens.

Within Pleasantville, the 1950’s were as simple as black and white; there was no other range of colour which is symbolic of simplicity. After Mary-Sue and Skip came back from their eventful night out, Skip saw a rose that was a deep, wine coloured red. The illusion of a perfect society, became demolished gradually changing from black and white to colour. This was only the first event that occurred; citizens of Pleasantville’s society has now been altered. The use of black and white showcased that the society was less ambitious; everything was either black or white, no range of any other colour. But, more pops of colour were beginning to make an arrival, such as pink bubblegum in the school hallway, pink cherry blossoms and green grass at Lover’s Lane. The introduction of colour within the film signifies the simplicity that now has been broken, along with the changes within the town. The first sign of change was an introduction to the colour red, which symbolizes romance. Read indicated love passion and lust, those feelings were all absent from the "perfect” 1950’s society. Pleasantville was becoming a colourful society, colour created the division within the

society.

Rain is something foreign to the Pleasantville citizens; the arrival of rain was symbolic to represent those to embrace change “it's alright.

There's nothing to be afraid of.” (Ross) those who embraced these change had their former selves "washed away.” The people who became "colored" after the storm accepted change, they became different and no longer "normal" residence of Pleasantville. This splits the town into two and creates racism; within the Courthouse the coloured are separated from the black and whites. That scene can be tied back to the novel “How To Kill A Mockingbird,” where the whites sit on the bottom and the coloured sit on the top. Chaos brewed within the town; people needed to change their standards on what is "normal.“ Within the Courthouse George showcased the fact that change is inevitable “‘Maybe you can't describe it… You might even call it “love.”’ (Ross) After that encounter with Bud, George changed into colour. Colour is the centrepiece of the movie that signifies and symbolizes change within

Pleasantville.

As the saying goes “on-one is perfect” this film by Gary Ross has captured the true meaning of perfect is not so perfect after all. Life is not always so simple or plain as black-and-white, but with the time people can learn to view different values and changes as a good thing, i'm not mark standards on what is “normal” or what stands out. The black and white color scene plays a significant role in the overall story it clearly indicates that change is inevitable no matter how different we perceive issues. When individuals interact with those who are openly minded there is a possibility of change. This means through exposure and interaction the old ways are forgotten and new ideas and values are embraced. In conclusion, it is a lesson learnt that change is inevitable, but it comes with challenges that should be accepted as much as the changes.