Different Views on Truth in The Film Rashomon

Introduction

Rashomon is a Japanese movie that explores a rape and murder through different versions, leading to the true meaning intended by the author, Akira Kurosawa. Kurosawa emphasizes the nature of truth and reality. This film sparks debates about what the resolution or truth actually is, which makes it an excellent topic for studying perception and reality. The story unfolds through the narratives of four witnesses: the woodcutter, the bandit, the wife, and the samurai himself, each recounting their version of events from their own perspectives. The film presents us with four viewpoints of the incident—one for each character—each revealing a little more detail. Renowned critic Roger Ebert has shared his perspective, suggesting that each witness is telling their version of the truth regarding the murder. Ebert posits that since people have different points of view and remember events differently, there are multiple truths, indicating that truth is subjective (Ebert, 2002).

Expectation and Perception

Ebert's views align with the theory of expectation, which states that people perceive what they expect to see, implying that individuals might believe that what they say is entirely true, thus leading to multiple truths. Expectation influences perception, causing individuals to suffer not only from visual illusions but also from illusions involving other senses. This explains why there is no absolute truth and why everyone has different beliefs, making truth subjective to individual beliefs. In Rashomon, each witness has a distinct background and memory, which shapes their expectations and narratives of the murder. For instance, the bandit expects that he killed the samurai due to his criminal background and his statement of intent. The wife's story suggests she believes she killed her husband because her dagger was found in him. The woodcutter only arrives after the murder and sees what he expects to see, based on his own desires and fears. This demonstrates how different experiences create expectations that might lead to misinterpretations of reality (Kurosawa, 1950).

Eye-Witness Testimony

Another theory related to Ebert's view is eye-witness testimony, which suggests that when people try to reconstruct events, they often lose some information. This theory emphasizes that "people cannot trust what they have seen" (Loftus, 1996). Emotions and memories play a significant role in this process, as individuals often rely on past experiences or memories shared by others to reconstruct events. Emotions influence the perceived truth and reality of a situation and are crucial in decision-making, especially quick decisions. The wife's emotional display serves as an example of how emotions affect perception. In the bandit's story, his emotions, particularly anger, cause him to exaggerate events. Similarly, the woodcutter's fear leads him to exaggerate his account. This theory suggests that memory, emotion, and even deception can distort the truth.

Coherence and Subjective Truth

Coherence also relates to Ebert’s views of perception and truth, as individuals often use reason to make sense of events. Witnesses may use their reasoning to support what they believe is true. This theory is significant because truth can be true for one person and false for another. As long as individuals have enough evidence to support their beliefs, there is no falsehood for them. People use reason to make sense of events, and this theory supports Ebert’s view that truth is subjective. For example, the wife claims that she is responsible for the murder because she had the dagger in her hands and found it in the samurai's chest. Meanwhile, the samurai's story suggests that he committed suicide due to shame. Akira Kurosawa emphasizes that anything is possible, indicating that events can be true or false. Since witnesses have different reasons, they perceive reality differently, each constructing their own version of the truth. This suggests that people use logic to determine solutions and conclusions, making them more reliable (Kurosawa, 1950).

Conclusion

Although the identity of the murderer remains unclear, Ebert’s views and associated theories explain why the four witnesses provide different stories about the murder. Eye-witness testimony depends on a character’s emotions and experiences towards the event and how they perceive it. These theories are individual-dependent and suggest why there is multiple truth rather than absolute truth. In Rashomon, Akira Kurosawa attempts to depict the subjective nature of reality, showing that there is no absolute truth. To conclude, some people might believe that truth is objective without seeking further evidence. However, what if there is more than one truth?

References:

• Ebert, R. (2002). The Great Movies. Broadway Books.
• Kurosawa, A. (Director). (1950). Rashomon [Film]. Daiei Film.
• Loftus, E. F. (1996). Eyewitness Testimony. Harvard University Press.