MovieChat Forums > Fiddler on the Roof (1971) Discussion > I was wondering

I was wondering

posted 9 years ago by briarswt
4 replies | jump to latest

So, I’m watching Fiddler on the Roof, and I’m at the part where Motel and Tzeitel beg and finally get Tevye’s permisson to marry. IMHO, it’s Motel’s repeating of Tzeitel’s words from earlier “even a poor tailor is entitled to some happiness” as well as his promise that Tzeitel will not starve that earnsTevye’s respect and eventual permission for marriage (”He’s beginning to talk like a man!”)

I am however, very curious to get everyone’s thoughts on this: What if they’d appealed to Golde instead of Tevye?

Golde, initially and understandably, seems more concerned with getting the girls out of poverty and into a situation where they’re more secure financially. We see this this with her response to the betrothal of Tzeitel to Lazar Wolf and the news that Hodel will marry Perchik. It’s only when Chava runs off with Fyedka and the Jews are forced out of Anatevka that Golde seems to lose that sense of materialism. (Now, I want to make it clear, I don’t believe Golde in any way wants things for herself or for her daughters for the sake of WANTING things - living as she’s done, I very strongly believe she just wishes things were a bit easier for herself and doesn’t want her daughters living hand to mouth as she has done for years).

But what do you think would have happened if Tzeitel and Motel had finally come to GOLDE (Instead of Tevye - which, in this situation would open up a whole other line of thought because he’d have to either be dead or so incredibly worthless as a provider/husband that the whole village knew about it and he wouldn’t care if he wasn’t the one they went to) about their wish/pledge?

Would Golde permit the marriage? Or would she refuse? If she refused, do you think that Tzeitel had the strength Chava eventually had to run away with Motel? Or was tradition too deeply ingrained in both Tzeitel and Motel to even contemplate that step?

[–] Clusium 9 years ago

Interesting to think about there.

And of course, we all remember the scene where Golde actually tells Motel that she "didn't think he'd amount to anything."

She might have consented IF Tzeitel stood up to her also, alongside Motel, even if she didn't agree with the marriage.

Totus Tuus O Maria!!! Totus Tuus O Jesu!!!!

[–] ncdwbmk6 9 years ago

Within the context of the film, it was the husband's role to make decisions such as that. If Golde openly tried to usurp Tevya's authority, that would have taken the story in another direction.

---
You got your mind right, Luke?

[–] tmaj48 9 years ago

Golde didn't feel she even had the right to tell Chava goodbye when they were leaving Anatevka. It was only after Tevye finally grumbled a blessing to them
that she permitted herself to speak to her daughter.
Appealing to Golde would not have the symbolism that asking Tevye did. It was Motel standing up to the father and winning Tzeitel's hand in marriage that made him a worthy man for her.

I'm not crying, you fool, I'm laughing!

Hewwo.

[–] beijingpearl2003 9 years ago

For all Golde's bossiness and snapping at her hubby, in that time period, its not even a valid question--Imah can rant and rave all she wants but Abba is the one who makes such decisions. Motel and Tzeitel knew they'd have to get Tevye's OK or forget it. Even with all her anguish, if Tevye HAD said NO, I think, miserable as she would have been, she would have married the butcher. She was not a forward-thinking girl as much as the other two. She would have mourned all her life for Motel...