The Forbidden Love

LOVE VS. RESPONSIBILITIES

Anna and the king are in love with each other. Though they cannot say it, and the love between Anna and the King is uttered more genuinely through their gestures, glimpses, and acts than words could ever tell. In fact, the art of dance as a means of bonding between a man and woman who cannot or will not otherwise link is wonderfully seen in the film.

The romantic nuance between these two characters is so strong and so amazingly that they rarely speak their feelings.

The conflict between an influential man and a great woman has always been at the spirit of great love stories, especially when the woman is the one testing the man’s pre-eminence.

This is a fairy tale between two defiant people. They don't perceive eye-to-eye at the beginning, but with the passing of time, both Anna and the king begin to value one another, teach each other precious life lessons, and build up an affectionate consideration for each other. The king never encountered anyone, especially a woman, like her before.

How two infinitely different people found love in an impossible situation? They couldn't have come from more opposite worlds, yet they found common ground and unfairly love.

In time, she and King Mongkut develop a fairly lock yet wholly innocent relationship of their own, sharing a mutual bond of love for the children. Anna is never afraid to tell Mongkut what she thinks or to get involved in situations her conscience will not allow her to ignore, and a mutual understanding and respect is forged among these paragons of culturally different virtues.

There's an intensifying attraction between her and the King and though she enjoys his company, it’s fairly clear that their relationship will never move past friendship. Through it all, Anna persists eventually winning the King's love for he has great obligations to Siam and its people.

She is an unusual woman and the king is a man with responsibilities he cannot disclaim. Not even for love.

She says no to a copious present because of the strings that might be attached. It will ruin the king’s dignity if she accepts the gift. A British concubine?

She struggles to hold back her growing feeling towards the King, because what she learns is that being the King isn't a simple situation and the king should know what is best for his people. Though he is respected and adored, there are covert who are trying to overthrow him and destroy his family so he must protect his country and people.

When the lives and future of the King and Siam are place at risk, Anna puts aside her feelings and joins forces with the royal family for survival. In the end, it's her English fortitude and never-surrender attitude that enables the King and his children to survive.

Anna appears to realize how significant it is for a ruler to retain his pride and to advocate the customs of his people.

The decision to set aside her affection for the king is heroic and for it, Anna is more realized that it is more important to save the kingdom.

Sometimes, we must turn down the favor of an accountable and available lover for higher principles. It only shows the filled worth and magnificence of such a choice in the circumstance of our lives.

This is a special love story, one that is embraced within a complex viewpoint of much better, far-reaching human stage plays. Some might say the romance falls short, but we believe that the type of romance explored in this movie represents perhaps the hard-hitting form of true love; what it lacks in provable passion, it more than makes up for in profundity of feeling.

Though they cannot truly express their love, the relationship forged between Anna and the King touches the lives of all around them and changes the future of the kingdom forever.

It is a fairy tale that ends with a heartbreaking scene but will start with a new-fangled beginning. Their forbidden love will become the key to keep the rigidity and dignity of Siam.

MEN VS. WOMEN

WOMEN equal MEN?

One of the main issues in “Anna and the King” is the differences between men and women. What is less obvious is that those differences are of two types: the existing inequality of the social status of men and women, and the ways in which men and women try to deal with (end or prolong) this inequality.

First of all, let us examine the structure of Siam’s civilization. Men occupy the dominant position in all aspects of life from top to bottom of the Thai social structure. The King rules the society, and men enforce all the laws and government regulations. We see no women participating in the King’s council or in any government office. In addition to that, the ritual and custom behavior point to the humiliating position of women in Siam’s culture. According to Prince Chulalongkorn, men never apologize to women. The body language of the relationship between the two genders in the movie indicates that a woman always bows in the presence of a man and usually stays bowed until he dismisses her. All these customs, laws, and regulations separate Thai society into two unequal classes: men and women.

In the situation of inequality, there is always a group of people who are not satisfied with the life around them. We will call them the agents of change. Although, the women in Thai society are very obedient, we can observe the attempts to change their life and/or social status. For example, the slave woman acts directly. She pays money to her mistress to buy her freedom (i.e. to change her life). She is acting according to the law that “bond-servants have the right to buy their own freedom.” However, her attempt is failed because her interests contradict the interests of her mistress who doesn’t want to set her free. Why does her mistress break the law? Certainly, she is a greedy, dishonest person, but her behavior may have a deeper explanation. She imitates the behavior of men by trying to put herself above the law. Probably, such attempts of these two women have no influence on Thai society, thus they are vain. However, the actions of two other women in the movie, Tuptim and Anna, do have an eventual influence on Thai society.

Tuptim makes her choice between love and duty not like a traditional Thai woman who is obedient, but like a human being with the right to make decisions on her own. She breaks the law in order to be close to her loved one. In spite of her betrayal of the King, her desperate attempt to keep her love makes the King take her side, if only privately. The main message that we get from her life and death is that love, which is the main connection between men and women, lacks any inherent inequality or discrimination. The King admits that Tuptim and her lover “fulfilled their destiny by touching us all” and intends to learn from his mistakes. One conclusion we can make from this is that if the laws and customs deprive one (in this case, a woman) of his or her rights, then submission is not the way to keep one’s human values. A better way is to pass on your values and to set an example with your courage.

In contrast to women, we don’t see a lot of men ready or willing to change the customs of Siam. They are in a better position than women, so they are probably afraid to lose the privileges they enjoy as men. They use the tactic called “it will resolve itself in time” (as the Prime Minister says), which means that no one will get involved and nothing will happen. The official procedures and protocols keep men away from changes. However, there is one man in Siam who wants his country to change: the King. He invites the “imperialistic” teacher to teach his eldest son. Why? In the letter confirming Anna’s employment, the King says that he wanted Siam “to take its place among the nations of the modern world.” As a man and as a king, he acts very carefully. He wants to ensure that in his country “no man is above the law.” He does not make any extraordinary changes, but he allows Anna to teach his children anything she wants (he knows Anna’s liberal position). His decision determines the future of Siam: his son abolishes slavery, institutes religious freedom and reforms the judicial system.

Prince Chulalongkorn says, “Anna had shined such a light on Siam.” This is a very important statement because it directly indicates her role in transforming Siam. Evidently, her appearance in Siam leads to many changes. Why? Firstly, Anna is an exception. As a woman, she differs from Siamese women by her personal freedom and education; as a foreigner, she is not required to follow Thai customs; as a wise person, she is a confidant of the King (the Prime Minister says, “My King believes you are wise”). Secondly, Anna is trying to make changes in a consistent manner. During one of her lessons, she says: “One way to achieve impossible is to change the climate.” This is the way she acts. Anna is changing climate in and around the royal family. She takes up the problems of slavery (the episode with a woman-slave and the episode when she gives the Prince “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”), freedom of choice for women (the episode with Tuptim and her lover) and others. In such an authoritarian culture, the changes are most likely to start at the highest level of power. That is why her influence on the entire royal family is so important. Her exceptional personality and courage set an example for the King’s children, King’s wives, and even for the King himself.

Anna proves that women and men are equal by not giving courtesy to King through bowing to him because she deems that men and women have an equal right. She is always against the king’s judgment if she thinks that the king’s verdict is wrong. Also, she’s the only girl that that assumes herself as the king’s equivalent. She stands up for what she believes to be right, and, by approach of bravery, forms the fate of Siam’s realm.

ANNA's PERCEPTION OF LOVE

The cultural heritage of Siam is very exceptional and different from others. Slavery is one of its customs that is extraordinary.

Its being incomparable is misinterpreted by others especially to Anna. Her love for others is conveyed in the film.

Love for others.

Slavery, slavery, slavery.

Anna stressed the role of slavery and injustice in Siam.

Anna finds out that some of the servants in the palace are being treated terribly, and, as Anna searches out to know the King's family, it becomes clear to her that the wives are little more than slaves themselves. We all know that Anna is against this custom of Siam.

This love is emphasizing when Anna rescues a caned servant from her mean master. Anna paid for the bond servant’s freedom. She didn’t think that she’ll break the system that exists in Siam. She stands up for what she consider is right.

Also, proving her love for others, she tried to help Tuptim and Balat when they were punished by the court. The King intended to alleviate the ruthlessness of the final charges, Anna, in front of the entire court, insists that the King be merciful, strictly restraining the King's ability to approve a lesser punishment out of political and cultural concern that it would appear as though he had been compassionate because of Anna's insistence; Tuptim and Balat are beheaded in front of the entire court, despite the well held belief that the sentence is monstrously unfair. Anna’s help didn’t stop the meanness of Siam’s traditions to those who violated them.

Anna gives a copy of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin to the King's son to clear the prince’s mind about the slavery that prevails in Siam. She presented it to the prince so that when his turn comes to be the king, he will put an end to it. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" given by Anna is engaged as an instrument to end slavery.

A conflict of strength of personality with Anna restores not just to be the equivalent of a man in this patriarchal society, but the same of a king.

To act humanely with no regard to Siam’s custom is Anna’s challenge to those who are in power. Though she is aware of this rim between slaves and authorities, her love and pity for servants does win through.

Anna goes into into a struggle for freedom and respect in a male-conquered land, in Siam’s royal palace where women have almost no position. Anna confronts all of the royal etiquettes for connecting to the King. In fact, she is the only person, not to mention a woman, who dares to stand in the King’s presence and to stand up to him verbally through direct opposition and unsolicited opinions.

In spite of the greater focus on Anna's perception of the injustice and prejudice that surrounds her; she built a magnificent dome where a woman can stand up against man with power and dignity.

Anna Leonowens reminds us that love and compassion are the most powerful weapons against slavery, cruelty and fear.

Anna’s passion and love for others is a culture shock for Siam.

For her, the traditions in Siam will show its way to devastation and her love for others will correct what is wrong that overpowering Siam.

Moving on the past memories that make your heart rips.

Because of his husband’s death, Anna’s heart is totally broken. She doesn’t know how to move on. Anna, for all her supremacy is really rather pedantic and has not filled the place in her heart or erotic life left empty by the recent death of her husband.

But, Anna soon finds herself enraptured with the people and their culture. Life in Siam moves at it's own pace and Anna soon begins to understand and enjoy the ways of these people.

In the film, Anna saw women dipping in the sea and they look in high spirits. She was amazed because even though these women are in deep problem, they are satisfied in their life. So, she decided that she will try what those women are doing, swim and try to forget about the saddest moments of their life. Darkness fell, and she went to the shore, and learned to let her hair down. When she was about to swim, the king interrupted. Here, it is when she completely forgot about her husband.

And these are the Siam’s cultural heritage that affects Anna’s perception of love.

LOVE breaks the CHAIN

Love truly knows no boundaries.

In fact, true love is esteemed, not in the king's relationships to her 100 wives and concubines, but between a reluctant concubine named Tuptim and the peasant named Balat she truly adores.

When an unwilling new concubine, Tuptim, is brought into the palace, it is implied that the king sleeps with her, though we see nothing but her worries over giving herself to a man she doesn't feel affection for which helps create a case that the sexual act is a cherished gift that should be solely set aside for an affectionate, monogamous relationship.

Tuptim is not happy inside the harem, living with the king and the royal family. She wishes for her freedom, to live peacefully with the one she loved.

Balat, Tuptim’s fiance, is brokenhearted when Tuptim was taken away from him and brought into the palace to become one of the king’s concubines. Because of his disappointment, he joined the monastery and bowed to become a priest.

Though, Balat and Tuptim are walls apart, they still send secret letters to each other by the help of Anna. Sending letters inside the palace is forbidden.

When Tuptim found out that Balat entered the monastery, she sneaked away from the palace and disguised herself as one of Balat’s fellow priests, just to be near and to see him in secret. Balat didn’t know about her plan to leave the palace, and did not recognize her.

The King and the authorities learned about what Lady Tuptim did. According to the bylaws, no concubines should have other man other than the king, otherwise they will be penalized. This is Lady Tuptim’s case. She broke the rules. They castigated and brought her to court for being guilty. Balat was also brought into court. He was accused for being the other man of Tuptim. And the two were punished and sentenced to death.

The two lovers were exposed to the public. The Siamese people labeled them as traitors of their country. Both of them are beheaded in front of many people.

Tuptim make her own decisions and ready herself to take responsibilities for her actions.

It is a true testimony of how their eternal love for each other can draw out all the way to the edict’s horizon of Siam. Their love for each other conquers over all.

The two chained hearts are now free from Siam’s rulings.

They proved that love is without limits, it means that everything is possible. Everyone has the right to be happy, just like anybody else, even if your happiness is different in the opinion of others.

Love for others.

It is emphasized also in the story. This love is accentuated when Anna rescues a caned servant from her mean master. Anna paid for the bond servant’s freedom. She didn’t think that she’ll break the system that exists in Siam. She stands up for what she consider is right.

To act humanely with no regard to Siam’s custom is Anna’s challenge to those who are in power. Though she is aware of this rim between slaves and authorities, her love and pity for servants does win through. Her sympathy to those people in lower class breaks the boundary of slavery.

For Anna, the chain of slavery shall be broken.

And these are the kinds of love that got our attention. The everlasting love shown by Tuptim and Balat and love for fellow shown by Anna.

Two Roads Intertwined

Even though both Philippines and Siam appear to be poles apart, still they have some similarities. These similarities and differences between Philippines and Siam link their beliefs and customs.

First, what are the variations between these two countries?

Siam is an independent realm though bounded by the protectorates of France and England. This Eastern country is firm and stable from the Western invaders who want to rule Siam. They did not want their tradition to be influenced by other races. Also, this nation is into modernization to maintain it protected from the menace of colonialism. Siam is indeed a civilized nation with an ancient and very proud history. They are preserving their custom’s wealth and traditions.

On the other hand, the Philippines can’t deny that we are under colonialism although we are not aware of it. We are also into innovation but we are leaving our freedom behind and letting the intruders to control us. We are losing our antique traditions because of what we called “colonial mentality.”

The Philippines is a republic country and the Filipinos are under democracy. This is a ground with freedom; we can express what we want. The Filipinos are following their own will. We are the one deciding who will govern us. We have our president. We choose our president by election. Every single vote is important because the mass’ voice is the wheel of Philippines achievement.

In contrast, Siam is a monarchial country. Siamese are under a paternal monarch or a king. The king is the most superior and powerful in Siam. He’s the one controlling his people and land; and his decision will prevail all over Siam. Though they have a prime minister, election has no place in Siam’s ground, dynasties reign on them. People’s voice is weaker than the king’s verdict.

Since, the Philippines is a democratic country, the Filipinos have equal rights. No one is controlling his fellow against his own will. No one can perform slavery. Slavery is conquering Siam than a Siamese’s right to live simply. People who are treated as the property of another person are called slaves. We saw in the film that Anna Leonowens help a pathetic servant caned by her master; it is an indication that the cruel treatment of bonded servants and slaves are deprived of personal freedom and forced to work. Slaves are detained against their will.

It is viewed that women in Siam has a struggle for independence and recognition in a male dominated world, a need that becomes even more challenged in Siam’s royal palace where women have virtually no status outside of the family role. Nobody eventually claims her place as the King’s equal. The king is leading the country that’s why women have no position in their race. Women have no right to complain because they have a low level.

The Philippines is ruled by a female president. It only proves that in our country, women and men have equal privileges. Women have the right to choose what they want to do. Men and women have the same civil liberties and men can’t have power over women.

The Philippines is moving away from slavery, tyrannical monarchy, and class society to democracy, capitalism, freedom of speech, freedom to choose, and freedom of belief.

Majority of the Filipinos believe in Christianity. It is the religion of most of us. We believe that the Supreme of all the Supremes is Jesus Christ. The Holy Bible is where God put his prophecies. But in Siam, their superior is Buddha. He is the “Lord of Life.” And the king and the Siamese people believe that they will find peace or nirvana by worshiping Buddha. Their religion is called Buddhism.

Marriage is a ceremony where two individuals are united as one. Since most Filipinos are Christians, having multiple marriages or polygamy is forbidden. It is violating the law of God. Monogamy is being faithful to your wife and to the Lord. But in Siam, the king can have many wives and concubines as he wants. He doesn’t follow the convention of monogamy but polygamy.

Committing crimes can result to punishments. In Siam, it is a violation to go against the policies of the king. The consequence of your disobedience is death. In the film, Lady Tuptim and Balat are sentenced to death. They are beheaded in front of the public.

Reclusión perpetua of the Philippines is equivalent to death of Siam. Years ago, death penalty is the consequence for heinous crimes or violating the law in the Philippines. But now, death penalty is abolished and replaced by lifetime imprisonment or reclusion perpetua.

In Siam, it is a common courtesy to ask personal questions though you did not know the person you’re talking to. In the film, it happened when Anna Leonowens and his son Louis arrived at the port of Siam; and they were met by the prime minister of Siam. The prime minister asked her about private questions which made her surprised.

Now, what are the similarities?

Filipinos are busy when New Year comes. Festivities and different ceremonies like wedding, debut etc. are significant to us. We are preparing for that day to come. In Siam, they are also busy preparing New Year, other festivities and ceremonies. The king is also in hectic schedule when celebrations come.

The battle between Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Philippine Army in Mindanao is similar to the battle of Burmese and Siamese in Siam. MILF in Lanao Del Norte attacked a town and murdered many innocent people because of the Bangsamoro Entity, for short, they killed people for upholding their territory. There’s a scene in the movie when the Siamese soldiers arrive across a village that has been devastated by the Burmese soldiers who have hung many of their victims from treetops. They slaughtered people for power and to get the land of Siam.

There is also a semblance between the two countries; they are monotheistic or believing in one God. Monotheism is practiced in both Philippines and Siam.

And these are the similarities and differences of the customs and beliefs of Siam and Philippines. We are constructing a strong bridge between two nations by telling what their resemblance and divergence is. Two roads intertwined, and that is the Siam and the Philippines, holding their own customs and traditions.

The Chronicles of Siam

The exotic place of Siam has a rich way of life based on what we perceived in the film. Many of the ancient customs give Siam its unique identity; there are astonishing royal palace, wonderful temples, stunning dragon-headed royal barge, processions, Buddha’s images and lively trading in the haven of Siam.

Siam is a bunged nation with social caste rigidity and dependence on slavery under the iron hand of Monarchy. Slaves are treated as slaves and if they want to be freed, they must pay their master what their cost is.

The man’s authority and superiority is governing the whole Siam in the presence of a ruler, paternal monarch called the KING. In the film, the king wants to modernize his country to keep it safe from the threat of colonialism, thus the king’s decision will prevail over the land of Siam. Every time the king will pass a place, everyone should kneel or bow down before him. The paternal monarch is well-loved and deeply respected. Who dares to stand in the King’s presence and to stand up to him verbally through direct opposition and unsolicited opinions will be chastised or it will cause his or her death. Death! Those who go against the king will be punished and beheaded in front of the Siamese people. Also those who will defy Siam’s convention shall put to death.

Also, the king can marry many women as he wants. Concubines are the term for them. The concubine is taken away from her family to be one of the favorite sex slaves and then she will be exposed to the public. When a new girl is brought into the palace, it is implied that the king sleeps with her, though we see nothing but her anxiety over giving herself to a man she doesn't love which helps make a case that the sexual act is a precious gift that should be exclusively reserved for the king.

The king believes to reincarnation. When the king’s favorite daughter, Princess Fa-Ying, who has spirit of the playful monkeys, died because of cholera, his world turns up-side down. After mourning because of his daughter’s death and moving to a new life, King finds that one of the monkeys in the royal garden has "borrowed" his glasses, as his daughter used to do, he is comforted by his belief in reincarnation and the idea that Fa-Ying may be reborn as one of her beloved animals.

No ordinary Siamese can enter the majestic, forbidden place called the HAREM except the royal family including the noble children, wives and concubines of the king. Common people are constricted to cross the threshold of the fortress.

In the film, it is viewed that women in Siam has a struggle for independence and recognition in a male dominated world, a need that becomes even more challenged in Siam’s royal palace where women have virtually no status outside of the family role. Nobody eventually claims her place as the King’s equal.

Based on the film, it is clear that Buddhism is highly dynamic and vibrant. It is an important agent of change not only in the Royal family itself but also in other aspects of Siamese life. The King leads his children, wives, concubines and servants in a prayer.

Buddhism appears throughout the film, though it is never promoted as any better or more reliable than any other religion. The king prays to Buddha. A Buddhist priest will offer his life to Buddha by settling himself inside a monastery, like what Lady Tuptim’s true love, Balat, did.

And these are the different traditions and customs of Siam we observed as presented in the film.