In Elia Kazan’s On the Waterfront, the Fourth of July capabilities as a backdrop for pivotal scenes highlighting the movie’s exploration of ethical corruption and particular person redemption. The vacation’s connotations of patriotism and nationwide beliefs distinction sharply with the moral compromises and betrayals depicted inside the longshoremen’s neighborhood. Particularly, the celebratory ambiance serves to underscore the disillusionment and ethical decay festering beneath the floor of seemingly bizarre lives. The juxtaposition emphasizes the hole between the idealized picture of America and the cruel realities confronted by these struggling for justice and dignity.
This symbolic use of Independence Day provides one other layer of complexity to the movie’s narrative. It reinforces the central themes of ethical accountability and the battle in opposition to systemic corruption. By associating the vacation with the characters’ inner conflicts and exterior pressures, the movie elevates the non-public drama to a commentary on societal values. Traditionally, the movie’s manufacturing coincided with the McCarthy period, including a potent subtext of political strain and the challenges confronted by people talking out in opposition to injustice.
Additional exploration of the movie’s themes, characters, and historic context can illuminate the nuanced methods wherein On the Waterfront makes use of this symbolic setting to discover the complexities of conscience, braveness, and the pursuit of a extra simply society.
1. Juxtaposition
On the Waterfront makes use of the Fourth of July to create a stark juxtaposition between the idealized picture of America and the grim actuality confronted by the longshoremen. The vacation, usually related to patriotism, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness, serves as a ironic backdrop in opposition to which the movie exposes the corruption, exploitation, and ethical compromises that permeate the waterfront neighborhood. This distinction highlights the disparity between the American dream and the lived experiences of these marginalized and trapped in a cycle of violence and intimidation.
The movie’s depiction of the Fourth of July picnic scene exemplifies this juxtaposition. Whereas households collect to rejoice, the underlying pressure and worry are palpable. The festive ambiance can not masks the deep-seated anxieties and resentments simmering beneath the floor. The characters’ compelled smiles and strained conversations betray the oppressive actuality of their lives, dominated by the mob’s management. This scene underscores the movie’s central theme: the battle for particular person dignity and justice inside a corrupt system. The idealized picture of the vacation serves to amplify the tragic actuality of their compromised existence.
This juxtaposition serves as a robust commentary on the hole between rhetoric and actuality. The movie challenges viewers to confront the uncomfortable fact that the promise of the American dream shouldn’t be universally accessible. It highlights the implications of unchecked energy and the significance of particular person braveness in difficult corrupt programs. By contrasting the patriotic beliefs of Independence Day with the cruel realities of the waterfront, On the Waterfront gives a nuanced exploration of the complexities of American society and the continuing battle for social justice.
2. Image of American Values
The Fourth of July, a potent image of American values comparable to freedom, independence, and unity, takes on a posh and ironic that means in On the Waterfront. The movie leverages the vacation’s inherent symbolism to reveal the hypocrisy and corruption that fester beneath the floor of American society, particularly inside the dockworkers’ neighborhood. This exploration challenges the viewers to confront the uncomfortable realities that contradict the idealized picture typically related to nationwide holidays.
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Erosion of Beliefs
The movie portrays a neighborhood the place basic American values like justice, equity, and particular person liberty have been eroded by mob affect and systemic corruption. The celebratory nature of Independence Day underscores this erosion, highlighting the discrepancy between the beliefs the vacation represents and the grim actuality skilled by the longshoremen. This distinction emphasizes the movie’s critique of societal constructions that perpetuate inequality and silence dissent.
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Perversion of Patriotism
Patriotism, typically related to the Fourth of July, is depicted as a device manipulated by these in energy to keep up management and silence opposition. Blind allegiance to deprave authority figures replaces real loyalty to democratic rules. The movie means that true patriotism requires difficult injustice, even when it means defying those that declare to signify nationwide pursuits. This nuanced portrayal provides depth to the movie’s exploration of ethical accountability.
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The Wrestle for True Freedom
The movie juxtaposes the superficial festivities of Independence Day with the longshoremen’s battle for real freedom from exploitation and oppression. Whereas the vacation celebrates nationwide independence, the characters are trapped in a system that denies them primary human rights and dignity. This distinction underscores the movie’s central theme: the continuing struggle for true freedom and justice inside a society grappling with its personal inner contradictions.
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Hope for Redemption
Regardless of the awful portrayal of corruption and ethical compromise, the movie gives a glimmer of hope for redemption and the opportunity of reclaiming American values. Terry Malloy’s eventual choice to testify in opposition to the mob symbolizes the ability of particular person conscience to beat worry and problem injustice. This act of defiance, set in opposition to the backdrop of the Fourth of July, suggests the potential for constructive change and the enduring energy of American beliefs.
By exploring these sides of American values inside the context of the Fourth of July, On the Waterfront gives a robust commentary on the complexities of American society and the continuing battle to reside as much as its founding rules. The movie’s enduring relevance stems from its unflinching examination of those points, prompting viewers to mirror on the true that means of freedom, justice, and the pursuit of a extra equitable society.
3. Backdrop for Ethical Battle
The Fourth of July vacation in On the Waterfront serves as an important backdrop for the ethical conflicts that permeate the narrative. The celebratory ambiance, usually related to nationwide unity and shared values, mockingly amplifies the moral dilemmas confronted by the characters. This juxtaposition creates a robust pressure, forcing the viewers to confront the disparity between the idealized picture of America and the cruel realities of corruption and compromise. The vacation setting intensifies the characters’ inner struggles as they grapple with questions of loyalty, betrayal, and private accountability.
Terry Malloy’s inner battle is especially highlighted in opposition to the backdrop of the Fourth of July. His preliminary complicity within the mob’s actions clashes together with his rising sense of guilt and need for redemption. The festive surroundings, symbolizing neighborhood and shared values, turns into a supply of discomfort for Terry, accentuating his ethical isolation. The vacation’s emphasis on moral rules additional underscores the gravity of his selections and the potential penalties of his actions. This distinction between exterior celebration and inner turmoil drives the narrative ahead, propelling Terry’s journey in direction of ethical awakening.
The broader context of the Fifties, marked by McCarthyism and anxieties about societal corruption, additional enhances the importance of the Fourth of July backdrop. The vacation’s patriotic connotations develop into intertwined with anxieties about nationwide identification and the erosion of conventional values. The movie’s exploration of ethical compromise resonates with the anxieties of the period, reflecting widespread issues concerning the integrity of American establishments and the accountability of people to uphold moral rules. This historic context provides depth and complexity to the movie’s examination of ethical battle, making it a robust commentary on the challenges confronted by people navigating a society grappling with its personal inner contradictions. The movie’s enduring energy lies in its capability to attach private struggles with bigger societal points, prompting reflection on the significance of particular person conscience in upholding justice and integrity.
4. Exposing Societal Corruption
On the Waterfront makes use of the backdrop of the Fourth of July, a logo of American beliefs, to reveal the pervasive societal corruption inside the dockworkers’ neighborhood. This ironic juxtaposition highlights the disparity between the professed values of the nation and the grim realities of exploitation and ethical compromise. The movie’s exploration of corruption transcends the precise setting of the waterfront, providing a broader commentary on the challenges confronted by people navigating a society the place energy and affect typically overshadow justice and moral rules.
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The Mob’s Affect
The movie depicts the pervasive affect of organized crime inside the union, illustrating how corruption can infiltrate and undermine seemingly professional establishments. The mob’s management over the docks extends past financial exploitation, encompassing violence, intimidation, and the suppression of dissent. This portrayal reveals how corruption erodes particular person freedoms and undermines the rules of equity and justice. The Fourth of July setting underscores the irony of celebrating nationwide beliefs in a neighborhood the place such basic rights are systematically violated.
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Complicity and Silence
On the Waterfront explores the theme of complicity, demonstrating how people can develop into entangled in corrupt programs by means of silence and inaction. The worry of reprisal and the need for self-preservation typically result in a tradition of silence, enabling corruption to flourish unchecked. The movie highlights the ethical struggles of characters who select to stay silent, contrasting their inaction with the braveness of those that dare to talk out. The festive ambiance of the Fourth of July additional emphasizes the ethical compromises made by people inside this corrupt surroundings.
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Erosion of Belief
Corruption erodes belief in establishments and people, making a local weather of suspicion and paranoia. The movie portrays a neighborhood the place belief has been shattered by the mob’s affect, leaving people remoted and weak. This breakdown of belief extends past the waterfront, reflecting broader societal issues concerning the integrity of establishments and the reliability of authority figures. The Fourth of July setting, usually related to neighborhood and shared values, mockingly highlights the fragmentation and mistrust that characterize the corrupt surroundings.
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The Struggle for Justice
Regardless of the pervasive corruption, On the Waterfront additionally portrays the battle for justice and the significance of particular person braveness. Terry Malloy’s choice to testify in opposition to the mob symbolizes the potential for constructive change and the ability of particular person conscience to problem corrupt programs. This act of defiance, set in opposition to the backdrop of the Fourth of July, gives a glimmer of hope for the restoration of moral rules and the pursuit of a extra simply society.
By exposing the assorted sides of societal corruption inside the context of the Fourth of July, On the Waterfront gives a compelling narrative concerning the challenges of upholding ethical rules in a posh and compromised world. The movie’s enduring relevance stems from its unflinching examination of those themes, prompting viewers to mirror on their very own roles and tasks in combating corruption and selling justice inside their communities and past.
5. Highlighting Private Struggles
The backdrop of the Fourth of July in On the Waterfront intensifies the non-public struggles confronted by the characters, making a poignant distinction between the celebratory ambiance and their internal turmoil. The vacation, usually related to unity and nationwide satisfaction, serves to isolate the characters additional, highlighting their ethical dilemmas and the heavy burden of their selections. This juxtaposition permits the movie to discover the complexities of human expertise within the face of societal pressures and moral compromises.
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Terry Malloy’s Ethical Dilemma
Terry’s inner battle is central to the narrative. Torn between loyalty to his brother and his conscience, he grapples with guilt and the need for redemption. The Fourth of July setting intensifies his battle, because the exterior festivities conflict together with his inner turmoil. The vacation’s emphasis on ethical rules underscores the burden of his selections and the potential penalties of his actions.
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Edie Doyle’s Seek for Reality
Edie’s unwavering pursuit of justice for her brother’s loss of life represents one other dimension of private battle. Her willpower to uncover the reality clashes with the prevailing tradition of silence and worry. The Fourth of July setting, meant to signify neighborhood and shared values, mockingly highlights her isolation as she challenges the corrupt system.
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Father Barry’s Problem to Authority
Father Barry’s efforts to encourage ethical braveness among the many longshoremen signify a religious and moral battle. He confronts the apathy and worry which have gripped the neighborhood, urging them to face up in opposition to injustice. His sermons, delivered in opposition to the backdrop of the Fourth of July, problem the neighborhood to reconcile their patriotic beliefs with the truth of their compromised lives.
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The Longshoremen’s Struggle for Dignity
The broader neighborhood of longshoremen faces a collective battle for dignity and financial justice. Trapped in a cycle of exploitation and intimidation, they grapple with worry, resignation, and the need for change. The Fourth of July setting underscores the irony of their scenario, as they rejoice a nationwide vacation that represents freedoms they themselves don’t totally get pleasure from.
By highlighting these private struggles in opposition to the backdrop of the Fourth of July, On the Waterfront gives a robust commentary on the human situation. The movie explores the challenges of sustaining particular person integrity within the face of societal pressures, the complexities of ethical decision-making, and the enduring hope for redemption and constructive change. The vacation setting serves not simply as a backdrop however as a foil, amplifying the characters’ inner conflicts and enriching the movie’s exploration of the human spirit’s resilience.
6. Irony of Celebration
The backdrop of the Fourth of July in On the Waterfront creates a profound irony. The vacation, usually related to nationwide unity, freedom, and celebration, starkly contrasts with the grim actuality of corruption, oppression, and ethical compromise that pervades the waterfront neighborhood. This ironic juxtaposition serves as a robust commentary on the hole between American beliefs and the lived experiences of these marginalized and exploited inside the system. The celebratory ambiance amplifies the sense of disillusionment and underscores the characters’ inner struggles.
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False Festivity
The outward shows of celebration throughout the Fourth of July festivities masks the underlying tensions and anxieties inside the neighborhood. The compelled smiles and superficial camaraderie function a stark reminder of the worry and intimidation that govern their lives. This false festivity highlights the characters’ lack of ability to genuinely rejoice the beliefs the vacation represents, as their primary freedoms and rights are suppressed by the mob’s management.
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Betrayal of Beliefs
The Fourth of July, with its emphasis on patriotism and nationwide values, mockingly underscores the betrayal of those beliefs inside the waterfront neighborhood. The corruption and exploitation that permeate the docks stand in stark distinction to the rules of justice, equity, and equality that the vacation represents. This betrayal highlights the hypocrisy of celebrating nationwide unity whereas ignoring the injustices suffered by marginalized teams inside society.
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Isolation Amidst Celebration
Whereas the Fourth of July usually fosters a way of neighborhood and togetherness, it mockingly serves to isolate the characters additional in On the Waterfront. Terry Malloy’s ethical struggles, Edie Doyle’s pursuit of justice, and Father Barry’s problem to authority all set them aside from the seemingly carefree celebrations round them. This isolation emphasizes their particular person burdens and the issue of upholding ethical rules in a corrupt surroundings.
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Catalyst for Change
Regardless of the pervasive irony, the Fourth of July additionally serves as a catalyst for change inside the narrative. The heightened consciousness of societal injustices, juxtaposed in opposition to the backdrop of nationwide celebration, fuels the characters’ need for redemption and motivates them to problem the established order. Terry’s final choice to testify in opposition to the mob may be seen as a direct response to this ironic distinction, signifying a turning level in his private journey and a possible shift in direction of a extra simply future.
The irony of celebration in On the Waterfront provides layers of complexity to the movie’s exploration of ethical compromise, social injustice, and the battle for particular person redemption. By contrasting the idealized picture of the Fourth of July with the cruel realities of the waterfront, the movie prompts viewers to critically look at the hole between societal beliefs and lived experiences, urging them to confront the uncomfortable truths that always lie beneath the floor of celebratory facades.
7. Context of McCarthyism
On the Waterfront, launched in 1954, can’t be totally understood with out acknowledging the pervasive affect of McCarthyism. Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anti-communist campaign, which dominated American politics within the early Fifties, created an environment of worry, suspicion, and paranoia. This sociopolitical local weather profoundly impacted the movie’s manufacturing, reception, and enduring relevance. The movie’s exploration of themes comparable to betrayal, ethical compromise, and the battle in opposition to corruption resonated deeply with audiences grappling with the anxieties of the period. Inspecting the context of McCarthyism illuminates the movie’s nuanced exploration of particular person conscience and the challenges of upholding moral rules in a local weather of political strain.
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Allegations and Blacklisting
The Home Un-American Actions Committee (HUAC) hearings, central to McCarthy’s marketing campaign, led to widespread blacklisting in Hollywood. People accused of communist affiliations, typically primarily based on flimsy proof or rumour, confronted skilled damage and social ostracization. On the Waterfront, whereas not explicitly about communism, displays the anxieties of this period. The movie’s portrayal of people pressured to adapt to deprave programs resonates with the experiences of these focused by HUAC. Director Elia Kazan’s personal controversial testimony earlier than HUAC, naming former colleagues as communists, additional complicates the movie’s legacy and provides a layer of historic subtext.
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Informants and Betrayal
McCarthyism inspired a tradition of informing and betrayal, as people have been pressured to denounce others to guard themselves. This ambiance of suspicion and mistrust permeates On the Waterfront. Terry Malloy’s choice to testify in opposition to the mob echoes the dilemmas confronted by these caught within the internet of McCarthyist accusations. The movie explores the psychological and emotional toll of betrayal, highlighting the complexities of ethical decision-making in a local weather of worry and intimidation.
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The Wrestle In opposition to Corruption
Whereas not explicitly about communism, On the Waterfront may be interpreted as an allegory for the broader battle in opposition to corruption and the abuse of energy. The mob’s management over the waterfront mirrors the perceived risk of communist infiltration in American society. The movie’s portrayal of people difficult corrupt programs resonates with the anxieties of the McCarthy period, providing a message of hope and resilience within the face of oppression.
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Patriotism and Dissent
McCarthyism typically conflated dissent with disloyalty, making a chilling impact on free speech and important considering. The Fourth of July setting in On the Waterfront provides one other layer of complexity to this theme. The vacation’s connotations of patriotism and nationwide unity mockingly underscore the suppression of particular person freedoms and the challenges of talking out in opposition to injustice. The movie implicitly means that true patriotism requires difficult corruption, even when it means defying these in positions of authority.
By understanding the context of McCarthyism, audiences can achieve a deeper appreciation for the complexities and nuances of On the Waterfront. The movie’s exploration of ethical compromise, particular person accountability, and the battle in opposition to corruption takes on added significance when seen by means of the lens of this tumultuous interval in American historical past. The Fourth of July setting, juxtaposed in opposition to the backdrop of McCarthyist anxieties, amplifies the movie’s message concerning the significance of braveness, conscience, and the pursuit of justice in a society grappling with its personal inner contradictions.
Incessantly Requested Questions
This part addresses widespread questions relating to the importance of the Fourth of July vacation inside the movie On the Waterfront, offering additional perception into its symbolic function and thematic relevance.
Query 1: Why is the Fourth of July important in On the Waterfront?
The Fourth of July capabilities as a poignant backdrop, juxtaposing the beliefs of freedom and nationwide unity with the cruel realities of corruption and ethical compromise inside the dockworkers’ neighborhood. This distinction highlights the movie’s exploration of societal hypocrisy and the battle for particular person integrity.
Query 2: How does the vacation setting improve the movie’s themes?
The celebratory ambiance of Independence Day intensifies the characters’ inner conflicts and ethical dilemmas. It underscores the hole between the idealized picture of America and the lived experiences of these struggling in opposition to exploitation and injustice.
Query 3: What’s the connection between the movie and McCarthyism?
Launched throughout the McCarthy period, On the Waterfront displays the anxieties and paranoia of the time. The movie’s exploration of betrayal, ethical compromise, and the battle in opposition to corruption resonates with the sociopolitical local weather of the early Fifties.
Query 4: How does the movie use irony associated to the vacation?
The movie employs irony by contrasting the superficial festivities of the Fourth of July with the underlying tensions and ethical decay inside the waterfront neighborhood. This ironic juxtaposition exposes the hypocrisy and corruption that fester beneath the floor of celebratory facades.
Query 5: What’s the significance of Terry Malloy’s actions throughout the vacation interval?
Terry Malloy’s inner struggles and eventual choice to testify in opposition to the mob culminate across the Fourth of July interval. This timing emphasizes the importance of his alternative, representing a turning level in his private journey and a possible shift in direction of a extra simply future.
Query 6: How does the movie’s portrayal of the Fourth of July resonate with up to date audiences?
The movie’s exploration of ethical compromise, societal corruption, and the battle for particular person integrity continues to resonate with audiences as we speak. The Fourth of July setting serves as a timeless reminder of the continuing have to confront injustice and uphold moral rules, even within the face of adversity.
By exploring these questions, one features a deeper understanding of the multifaceted function the Fourth of July performs in On the Waterfront. The vacation’s symbolic significance enhances the movie’s narrative depth and reinforces its enduring message concerning the significance of particular person conscience and the pursuit of a simply society.
Additional evaluation of the movie’s symbolism, character improvement, and historic context can present a good richer appreciation of its creative and social impression.
Understanding and Making use of Insights from On the Waterfront
The movie On the Waterfront, significantly its use of the Fourth of July as a symbolic backdrop, gives beneficial insights relevant to up to date societal challenges. The next suggestions present steering on extracting and making use of these classes to advertise moral decision-making and social accountability.
Tip 1: Acknowledge the Hole Between Idealism and Actuality: Societies typically current idealized photographs of themselves, masking underlying injustices and inequalities. On the Waterfront encourages vital examination of those disparities, urging people to acknowledge the hole between rhetoric and actuality.
Tip 2: Problem Corruption at All Ranges: The movie demonstrates how corruption can permeate establishments and communities. It underscores the significance of difficult unethical conduct and advocating for transparency and accountability in any respect ranges, from particular person interactions to systemic practices.
Tip 3: Discover Braveness to Converse Out: On the Waterfront highlights the importance of particular person braveness in confronting injustice. Even small acts of defiance can contribute to constructive change, inspiring others to talk out and problem corrupt programs.
Tip 4: Promote Moral Choice-Making: The movie’s characters grapple with troublesome ethical selections, emphasizing the significance of moral decision-making in on a regular basis life. It encourages people to contemplate the implications of their actions and prioritize integrity over private achieve or conformity.
Tip 5: Help Whistleblower Safety: On the Waterfront underscores the vulnerability of those that expose wrongdoing. Supporting whistleblower safety mechanisms is essential for creating environments the place people can safely report unethical conduct with out worry of reprisal.
Tip 6: Foster Group Engagement and Dialogue: The movie demonstrates the ability of collective motion in addressing societal issues. Fostering neighborhood engagement and open dialogue can empower people to problem injustice and promote constructive change.
Tip 7: Study from Historic Context: Understanding the historic context of On the Waterfront, significantly the McCarthy period, gives beneficial insights into the dynamics of energy, conformity, and dissent. Making use of these classes to up to date points can inform methods for selling social justice and defending particular person freedoms.
By reflecting on the following tips, people can achieve a deeper understanding of the movie’s message and apply its insights to their very own lives and communities. On the Waterfront serves as a timeless reminder of the significance of moral management, particular person braveness, and the continuing pursuit of a extra simply and equitable society.
These classes present a framework for navigating moral dilemmas and selling social accountability in numerous contexts. By making use of these rules, people can contribute to making a extra simply and equitable world.
The Significance of the Fourth of July in On the Waterfront
On the Waterfront makes use of the Fourth of July not merely as a temporal setting, however as a robust symbolic backdrop in opposition to which the movies central themes of corruption, ethical compromise, and particular person redemption unfold. The vacations inherent connotations of nationwide unity, freedom, and celebration mockingly amplify the stark realities of exploitation, worry, and the erosion of moral rules inside the dockworkers neighborhood. This juxtaposition creates a compelling pressure, forcing viewers to confront the disparity between idealized nationwide narratives and the lived experiences of these marginalized and oppressed inside the system. The movies exploration of those themes, set in opposition to the backdrop of Independence Day celebrations, gives a nuanced understanding of the challenges confronted by people navigating a society grappling with its personal inner contradictions.
The enduring energy of On the Waterfront lies in its capability to attach private struggles with broader societal points. The movies exploration of ethical braveness, particular person accountability, and the pursuit of justice transcends its particular historic context, providing timeless classes relevant to up to date challenges. By inspecting the complexities of human conduct inside a corrupt system, On the Waterfront encourages vital reflection on the significance of moral decision-making, the struggle in opposition to injustice, and the enduring pursuit of a extra equitable society. The movie serves as a potent reminder that true patriotism requires not blind allegiance, however relatively the braveness to problem corruption and uphold the rules of justice and freedom for all.
