I have always been a bit confused about this scene.
Is the Priest abrubt to Golde because of his dislike of the Jews or
is it because he is protecting her from the Tsarist rule over Jews approaching the Russian Orthodox Church?
Actually, Golde's conversation with the Priest is not shown--the scene shifts away as he approaches her. It's the Assistant to the Priest who is abrupt with Golde. I think it's because it's so unusual for a Jewish woman of that era to enter a Church in the first place, and then request an audience with the Priest.
shareI think that Golda's unseen conversation with the priest was about her daughter and her possible sudden marriage to the Russian national. Golda had an idea that her daughter might have run away and eloped and she needed confirmation. The third daughter married a Russian who would have been not only "foreign" but would also have been of a different faitn (Eastern Orthodox Christian). Consider the time and place of the story. "Tradition!"
John Martin, 49
In the original stage production, Tevye is out with his cart and talking to God and Golde comes running up to him telling him that Chava has left home and that she went to the Priest, who confirmed her marriage to Fyedka.
shareI think that first guy (not the head priest) is just surprised to see her there, thinking, 'We don't bother them and they don't bother us. What does she want me for?'
shareAnother thing in the movie I'm kinda confused about. Golde asks if she can see the "priest" and he says "The Reverend Father?" Then, later, Golde starts to say "priest" but catches herself and says "Reverend Father" instead. Apparently because the guy didn't want to use the word "priest?" I know the movie is tryin to say something but im not exactly what it is. does someone know??
[deleted]
Golda is trying to be socially correct and not adverse to her own faith without really knowing what to say (for a change).
shareI thought they were trying to say something like that but I wasn't sure. But its sorta funny she goes back to using the word priest when she talks to her husband. Guess she forget or really didn't care about using the correct term. Thank u guys.
shareThey knew her daughter converted to Christianity and eloped so they should have expected Golda or Tevye to show up and ask questions.
shareI think the first person was abrupt because you have to look at the time period and beliefs. I don't think they respected the Jews just like the Jews may not have respected the Christians, they just tolerated each other, you stay on your side we stay on our side. Also, the Christians may have took to the belief of "the jews are responsible for killing the Messiah" so there would be no reason for both to be chummy, no love loss there. I think that but also the shock of seeing a Jewish woman in the church was why he acted the way he did.
shareChava might not necessarily have converted to Catholicism....its not uncommon for a Catholic to marry someone who isnt. The one who isnt has to agree that the children be raised Catholic, though.
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"Ooh!Pass the popcorn! This is gonna be good!"
"Chava might not necessarily have converted to Catholicism...."
Fyedka was Orthodox Christian. Not Catholic Christian.
If you love Jesus Christ and are 100% proud of it copy this and make your signature!
in those days, in that area, it was Orthodox Catholic. I've been in those churches, and seen the priests. i know what im talking about.
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"Ooh!Pass the popcorn! This is gonna be good!"
With respect, Tekawitha, you are incorrect. First, there is no 'Orthodox Catholic' (save for a traditionalist group named the Orthodox Roman Catholic Movement), you may be thinking of Byzantine rite Catholics--churches with differing liturgy but sui juris with the Holy See in Rome.
Assuming this took place in the Ukraine, it could have been a Ukranian Greek Catholic Church (a Byzantine rite church). However, the UGCC has been a minority church--even in the Ukraine. Based on the iconography, the priestly clothing and layout of the church--and the fact that it was the predominant Christian religion--I would say that it was a Russian Orthodox church rather than a UGCC church. Orthodox churches are not in communion with the Roman Catholic faith and are separate.
Finally, considering the times, the fact that it was a rural area and the strict traditions of the Orthodox church, it would be highly unlikely that Chava would not have converted.
TANSTAAFL!
I'm an atheist, and even I'd covert for Fyedka.
shareok, going to tackle this in bits, to answer more than one of the posts, if i can...
1)Golda wouldnt know the correct titles for the Russian Orthodox Church's heirarchy. shoot, im Roman Catholic, been to places that look like that in Israel while on pilgrimage, and *i* dont know what they are all! this might help..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Orthodox_Church . my guess is the one with the full beard is perhaps a bishop, or patriarch, and the other a regular parish priest. what i found interesting was that, to me, he seemed to have a kind look in his eyes, my impression is that he knew what he had to tell her would be a shock to Golda, and he wished not to hurt her feelings
2) im sure that the church would not marry anyone eloping. one reason for publishing banns is so that there is a chance to let people know who kept church records in the couple's old parishes. so there would have been, most likely, a three week announcement of the banns. for a very long time, the local churches,etc, were the keepers of records of births, deaths, and marriages.
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"Ooh!Pass the popcorn! This is gonna be good!"
And we see that Tevye can't read Russian, even if banns were posted, he could not have read them.
shareShe was nervous as hell, of course, having crossed into their territory, so to speak, and wanted to be 'correct', not piss anyone off. Also, the Jewish people HAD priests at one time and this was well known to anyone with an ounce of learning, even the wife of a man who had obviously studied a little Talmud--so perhaps she felt bad having to call this 'pagan' (which is what Christians would have been considered by many Jews then--pagans, heathens, murderers, whatever) a priest--but she had to be brave and ask so shes could confirm her daughter's whereabouts--a distasteful and disturbing situation for the mother.
shareI don't think that scene was in the stage production.