MovieChat Forums > Fiddler on the Roof (1971) Discussion > Interesting treatise on definition of ma...

Interesting treatise on definition of marriage

posted 16 years ago by watpho
13 replies | jump to latest

I found it interesting that with the first two daughters, Tevye was intially opposed (first husband too poor, second a wild idealist) but he gave in because he witnessed his daughters' happiness.
But with the third he categorically could not accept because she was marrying a non-Jew. So here you have a situation where in society marriage was not accepted between people of different cultures or religions. Tevye reacted with a fervor that would akin to a same-sex marriage of today.
Of course the idea of people of different cultures or religions is hardly an issue to like 95% of the Western cultures, so I take solace that history will ultimately validate and legalized marriage equality will become a reality sooner than we think.
And anyone that postulates "what's next, children or even animals" let me remind you that "civil" marriage is fundametally a "contract" that requires implied consent which children or beasts to not possess.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] roquefort13 16 years ago

Well, think about it this way. The first daughters, were married with men within their faith.
Chava was married not only to a "non jew". She married outside the faith and for Tevvie, that loved and praised his traditions and his FAITH above all things, it was a killer.
It would be like someone you love did something that is against everything you believe in, not only betraying and giving the back to the family, but turning the back to everything your world and life is based on. It would be a moment for you in which you would have to choose between that person and your universe and existance itself.
It looks like a little thing, but you'd be amazed.
Luckily, at the end of the movie, we see that Tevvies heart, is bigger than he himself even knew.

[–] rwsmith29456 14 years ago

If an Orthodox Jew marries a person outside of the faith they are DEAD to their family and the community. It's about the worse thing anyone could do. Unforgivable. Tevya made allowances for breaking traditions but he couldn't change the core of his faith. "If I bend that much, I will break"

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Tyon-Kree 14 years ago

Also one should remember that this was in tsarist russia for gods sake.

Christian jewish relations in tsarist russia consisted of pogroms, pogroms and even more pogroms.

[–] averagejoeman2013 14 years ago

I admired that about Tevye. Even though he was opposed with every fiber of his being, he still loved his daughter. Thankfully marriage today is looked upon equally by 95% of those out there. The definition of marriage has usually been a good reflection of the populace but has historically been formated in a way that best benefits its society. Although statistically the traditional western composition of marriage leads to the most productivity and stability, others have begun to emerge as standards have eased/fallen. Thankfully that will likely become a moot point sometime this century (isnt advancement wonderful?).

"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." - Albert Einstein

[–] Clusium 13 years ago

"And anyone that postulates "whats next children or even animals" let me remind you that "civil" marriage is fundamentally a "contract" that requires implied consent which children or beasts do not possess."

Ok then, how about between siblings or even first-generation cousins, then...?

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] jefgg 11 years ago

This is getting a little off topic. I am very opposed to cousin marriages.

[–] stevenackerman69 13 years ago

Well, to him it was one thing when Tzietel and Hodel chose husbands for themselves who Tevye might not have picked, but it was another thing for him when Chava decided to marry outside of the faith.

[–] slinter 13 years ago

Plus, Fyedka was Russian, and Russians were seen as the oppressing power. Imagine a Jew marrying an Aryan in 1930's Germany.

[–] goleafsgo27 10 years ago

Actually, until the Nazis outlawed such marriages, I think in 1935, lots of German Jews and Christians married one another.

I have seen enough to know I have seen too much. -- ALOTO

[–] Tekawitha 13 years ago

"Marriage is a legally sanctioned contract between a man and a woman. Entering into a marriage contract changes the legal status of both parties, giving husband and wife new rights and obligations. Public policy is strongly in favor of marriage based on the belief that it preserves the family unit. Traditionally, marriage has been viewed as vital to the preservation of morals and civilization." http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/marriage

when you add into the mix strong religious beliefs, you get the situation Chava encountered. (actually, old customs can create the same situation-my mother has never accepted my husband because she was born and raised in Georgia, with "Old Southern' beliefs, manners and customs, and with many relatives who had been in the Civil War. and my husband is from 'the North'= the bad guys, so in her eyes, i betrayed everything she believed in.)

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