Louisa Andrusko-Blog #4 Field of Dreams

There are many religious themes throughout the film “Field of Dreams.” The intermingling of life and death provides an environment in which people are forced to acknowledge and question death. Ray, the main character, and his wife can be interpreted as searching for the promise land, or some sort of redemption through the building of this field. Consequently, this field provides them insight into what happens after life. The reactions to this field varies based upon the amount of belief, or faith, the characters have. Ray and James Ear Jones accept the field of dreams/miracles with a sense of wonderment and awe. Ray’s brother-in-law, on the other hand, is skeptical and impatient with the unwavering faith Ray has. This disbelief is manifested through the fight he has with Ray during one of the climaxes of the scene. The argument over what happens after death is something so familiar to audiences, yet unfamiliar at the same time because it is often considered taboo to talk about. The “call” Ray hears throughout the film is interpreted by many as the voice of God. This calling Ray has is similar to many prophets in religion that heed the call of their God. Like the actor in “The Seventh Seal,” the call Ray hears not only offers him evidence and reason, it also offers him comfort. It is this lack of evidence that frustrates and confuses his brother-in-law. When James Earl Jones enters the corn field, he does not greet death with a sense of tremendum, but instead joy. This scene was also similar to the scene from “The Seventh Seal” when the characters respond to the presence of death differently. One question I have about the film is what role does his wife play? Why does she seem to be able to keep one foot in both worlds? Further, what role does the innocent child play? What does this innocence say about our faith?