Reflection: Joan of Arc

The 1999 French epic historical drama film entitled, "Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc", was directed by Luc Besson. It portrays the story of St. Joan of Arc, a French woman who is known for her role in the Hundred Years' War and as a religious figure.

 The story takes place during the war of France over England. Joan of Arc has a strong faith and is a very religious person. She was confessing every day at the church and it became a habit to her. Joan of Arc claims that she has visions that she can see God. She has a very tough childhood because a family member died and raped in front of her. She was traumatized and wanted to get revenge but the visions wanted her to wait to get her revenge soon. She was adopted by a family and she became known in the community because of her visions.

Charles gave her an army to fight over the English. But he still doubts her judgments and advices. Joan led the army to the war over English and promised victory with the guidance of God. But somehow, she became selfish and forgot that she was fighting because God wants her to. I remembered her saying this line, “Those who love me, follow me.” And I think that was a personal motive of her and not by God anymore. She was wounded from the war but was healed afterwards. They won and Charles became the King of France because of Joan.

 

The King of France abandoned her after he got the throne. During the battle, she was thrown off and closed by the town’s gate. The English took and imprisoned her. But later on, they passed her to church officials. While being imprisoned, her conscience calls her. Joan later then admitted and realized that it was all her doings and not by God. All of her acts is because of selfishness. She was executed and burned alive in the year 1431.

There are many realizations that happen while I was watching the movie. Life lessons that I may bring for the rest of my life. One of it was gender equality. Joan of Arc is a girl. There are some scenes in the movie that underestimating her because she was a girl. A girl leading the army is such a shame for the men and it might hurt their ego. According to Nugent Pam (2013), Implying that males are superior to females is a case of male chauvinism. It is very natural for men to be competitive and be driven by pride all the time. That’s why they don’t want to be surpassed by anyone especially by women. 

Joan of Arc is a brave woman. An 18 year old girl faces all the challenges in her life with a strong heart. Even though she was young, it didn’t become a hindrance to her to save her country. The Oxford dictionary defines bravery as the ability to endure and ability. I saw these qualities from Joan of Arc and these qualities have to exist together because they are equally important to become brave. In order to understand bravery, we must understand the opposite of it.

I remembered when parents fought about my father want to stop to work. They’ve been fighting because my mom believes that the man should be the provider of the household but my mom is so persistent. But the end of the day the have decided that they together work so the two of will provide us in our everyday situations

Women are considered weak in the society but nowadays, it doesn’t imply anymore.

In the generation today, women are considered equal to men. Just like what the feminism theory is implying, the feminism is the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes. In my perspective, there is nothing wrong with a women leading an army and fighting for the country. Women can do what men can do. Joan of Arc is on the right track and proved to everyone that women should never be underestimated because of gender. 

In our history we can see that women are really hands on for freedom not only men fight for rights but women also.For example the Joan of Arc in Philippines Gabriela Silang (Luzon) and Teresa Magbanua in (Visayas) They fought and led our countrymen for our freedom againts spaniards even though they are girl. In the time of Marcos were Corazon Aquino fought for our rights because of the martial law and she became the first Asian woman president. In the time of Erap Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took charge on what Erap remains and lead the economy to expand.

Link of the movie Joan of Arc 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv3R7lMLLWs