The Ethical Questions Raised in Rashomon: What is the Rashomon Phenomenon? Which of the Interpretations Discussed in the Text Do You Find Most Intriguing and Why?

According to Essentials of Mass Communication Theory, the Rashomon Phenomenon explores if, "we can know reality and the truth about it" (Berger 27). Moreover, it addresses the conundrum that if how everyone interprets facts differently, then what can be considered the truth. The film, Rashomon, perfectly illustrates this dilemma. In the film, a murder occurs, but all of the characters involved recalled the event drastically varied with only several elements remaining the same. During the trial, all of the parties involved try to persuade the court that their version of the story is the truth. Even though the stories differ incredibly, several facts remain the same. First, Tajomaru, the bandit, spots Masago and her husband Takehiro, a samurai, riding through the woods. Second, his lust of Masago drives Tajomaru to trick Tajomaru by offering him cheap swords and then tie him up. Third, Tajomaru and Masago have sex. Whether Masago is a willing participant or raped varies depending on the storyteller. Fourth, Tajomaru winds up dead in the woods. The events leading up to his death and the person responsible also vary in each story. The filmmaker never reveals which story is the truth and leaves it up to the audience to determine who they feel was telling the truth based on the fact presented.

While reading the chapter, I went through the various interpretations and analysis of the film. However,

I found the ethical interpretation of Rashomon to be he most intriguing. Each character in the film faces a moral dilemma and their actions show what kind of person they truly are. For example, even though the woodsman stole the pearl dagger from Tajomaru's dead body, his intention was not greed for himself, but as an opportunity feed his large family. While stealing is wrong, he attempts to redeem himself by taking in the abandoned baby. Based on what the woodsman saw in the grove, none of the characters involved in the murder made dishonorable decisions. As a result, he was able to justify stealing from corrupt people. While it was an ethical predicament, he choose not to reveal the whole story to the court in order to better his own family.

Berger, Arthur Asa. Essentials of Mass Communication Theory. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 1995. Print.