A scene in the Lapp's barn shows Book and Rachel dancing to rock music. This portrays Rachel's tolerance for the modern American society and lifestyle. Seeing an 18th century clad woman dance to modern rock music is definitely one of the clashes of culture in Witness.
Clothing is one of the blatant differences between the American and Amish cultures, and although it is obviously one of the constant contrasts that are referred to there are several more specific references. In the station Samuel is standing in line with his mother, when he turns to see a little girl giggling at him. Here we can see the clash between the different styles of clothing, Samuel wearing a plain black outfit, with a blue unbuttoned shirt and the girl clothed in a pretty dress, hair and appearance all modifies to achieve a sweet, 'beautiful' child.
Witness works very well as a confrontation between two different cultures and, ultimately, as a love story. The real suspense concerns whether Ford and McGillis will wind up together, despite the fact that her religion is an almost impenetrable barrier between them, an what they will have to sacrifice for their love.
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