Conflict: Anarchism and Long Lasting Aftermaths

Conflict can have tragic consequences for ordinary people In society’s composition, ordinary people establish the majority of the population creating the base of the group. When faced with challenges and conflict stemming from others in the same faction, they are affected and met with the consequences of the conflict. These effects may have tragic consequences to ordinary people with long lasting aftermaths such as portrayed in ‘Paradise Road’ and throughout history. Conflict, however, comes in different forms and arrangements with varying views and purposes.

This signifies that not all consequences of conflict is disastrous, and can have a valuable effect on ordinary people. The characters in ‘Paradise Road’ are essentially ordinary civilians of countries torn in war that were thrust into situations that ended with tragic consequences. From the beginning scenes the women are portrayed living luxurious but sheltered lives, following that they were plunged into the devastating prisoner’s camp showing the drastically altered life style they endured.

Throughout the film the women are exposed to the unfamiliar brutality of humans, creating long lasting effects on their psychological mindset. This is seen from the ruthless death of Wing, having been caught getting medicinal tablets for Mrs Roberts. Due to the innocent and charitable nature of the act, the dreadful punishment for Wing was a surprise and vicious shock to the other women as it was nothing like their previous experiences, establishing the brutal nature of humans and course of the film.

From this scene however, the idea that ‘conflict brings out the best in people’ could also be seen as Wing self-sacrificed herself. Additionally, despite the cruel conducts and treatment, the idea that ‘The survivors of conflict are true heroes’ is also brought to light as the women that were released held on til the end, surviving through will power and each other’s help and not giving into using their bodies. Evidently, although conflict can have tragic consequences on ordinary people, it can also have encouraging effects on them.

Although conflict has the capacity to develop tragic consequences for average people, it additionally has positive effects on thousands of ordinary citizens around the nation. The African-American Civil Rights Movement in the United States began in 1955 due to racial prejudice and inequality, it aimed for the prohibition of discrimination and the right for African Americans to vote. The immense struggle for equal rights included many ordinary citizens throughout the nation and came in the form of nonviolent protests and marches.

The confrontation lasted almost a decade and involved ordinary citizens of all nations as it sparked worldwide recognition for its aim. In 1964 the Civil Rights Act was passed allowing basic civil rights for all Americans, signifying the success of the struggle for all Americans regardless of race. This indicates that even for those not involved, the outcome affected their lives in a positive manner along with the idea that conflict not just has tragic consequences for ordinary people, but beneficial effects for them as well.

Ordinary people are affected by conflict all over the world and whether the outcome is positive or negative for the particular individual, it is defined by the nature of the conflict and the possibilities it holds. Conflict does have the power to bring devastating consequences to some in many cases but there are also cases in which conflict brings about change in a positive manner with valuable and favourable effects for the individual. To define the outcome of conflict in a dichromatic way is futile as all cases will have varying components and possibilities with each action that plays on the result of the conflict.