Book of Eli Social Commentary Essay

The film The Book of Eli directed by the Hughes brothers is a cinematic display of dystopian genius. Many dystopian films critique government involvement, privacy issues, and ethical concerns. However in The Book of Eli, the Hughes brothers take a jump to a different part of raw society religion. Numerous religions argon practiced in society as they are protected under the first amendment. The written word give the sack be interpreted numerous different ways whether it is for peachy or evil and this film does a great job outlining the interpretations. The Book of Eli is a dystopian symbol for how organized religion is ab habitd in newfangled society. Religion as a whole is assimilaten throughout the film. Eli, the main character, believes that his purpose on Earth is to bring the Bible out West and to protect it. He is a religious man, regularly reading and praying from the playscript. He is devout and puts the books protection before other ethical issues.In the film, Eli e ncounters a woman being gang-raped. He proceeds to say follow the path, follow the path. He continues moving because his plainly mission is to get the Bible to the West. Eli believes that God put him on Earth to acquire the book to the West, so he will do anything to get it there. The beginning of the film outlines Eli as having the inclination of protecting the book, yet he doesnt kinda understand the pith of compassion found within the words. In this same way, we see religious zealots who believe in their religion so strongly that they sometimes ignore those that have less than them. Eli couldve helped the woman being raped but instead continued with his journey, not straying in the least. These days, people go to church service to hear preachers talk of compassion and loving forgiveness but once Mass is over, sure enough there is always a fight in the parking lot when everyone is trying to leave in a hurry.For many, these scriptures go in one ear and out the other and only c ertain passages are held on to because they deal with the problems faced only at that very moment. Carnegies mission is one of the most important parts of the film. He is in a long search for the Bible and is one of the only people who can still read. He yearns to rebuild civilization and become a dictator to many towns. He believes that the Bible holds power. With the book, Carnegie believes that he will be able to gain followers as long as he uses the written word. Carnegie and his men only see the Bible as a factor of control, and do not see the true meaning of the written word compassion, devotion, and freedom. This also mirrors the current patch with the Vatican. The Pope claims that condoms will worsen the African AIDS crisis.He believes The traditional teaching of the church has proven to be the only failsafe way to prevent the disseminate of HIV/Aids. The Pope is trying to use his religion to keep power over the African people. 67% of people with HIV live in Africa, so by him preaching to not use condoms, he will reach a significant amount of people. In a dire situation resembling this, the Pope will use his religion to convey his message of God. Religions like this one could be used to build morality in people by taking stories and finding the values in them. However, they can also be used to attack certain individuals and be used as a means of control. Eli and Carnegie resemble both sides and warn of the evils that can come from an otherwise useful tool to teach from. Sunglasses also play a powerful parting in the film as Eli wears them mysteriously throughout.The audience does not know why this is until the end of the movie when it is revealed that Eli is at least partially blind, if not completely. spirit back at the film, hints are dropped to suggest that Eli lacks vision. A significant line he says is I walk by trustingness not by sight. This can be interpreted in many ways. Eli walks with the Bible, his faith, to the west coast. He feels God put him on Earth to bring the bible to the west to preserve it on with other important books of faith that will later be used to recreate civilization. While walking, he is guided by Gods message instead of what he is able to see in front of him. Only two people in the film are able to read the book Eli and Solaras mother.Those who cant see are the only ones who can truly read from the book. They are the most pure in the sense that they cannot see the corrupt society around them, so all they have to guide them through life is their faith. In todays society people are surrounded by the deviant behaviors of sexual activity, drug usage, and violence as entertainment. In order to stay grounded to their own morality, people rely on their faith to guide them. These people are blind to the ills of society because they are confident in their values. The Book of Eli does a phenomenal job of describing abuses of religion in modern society, however, the concept it much bigger than that.In a perfect world, there are perfect people and no problems. In todays society people do whatever they want with their money, time, religion, etc. There are no ground roots to fall back on. The people are the ones creating madhouse its not any one specific event. However, people place the blame on anything they can think of money, time, religion, etc. Most people use this blame to gain control, and then it becomes a power struggle. This film was meant for the audience to think beyond the religious undertone, and realize the real issue themselves.