Communication of Signs Regarding to the “Idealism” and “Realism” Philosophies as Projected through the Agricultural-Related Way of Life Featured in the Thai Movie The Paradise of Thorns

Abstract

        The objective of this research intends to study the communication of symbolic meanings of “idealism” and “realism” philosophies as projected through the agricultural-related way of life featured in the Thai Movie The Paradise of Thorns. The study is based on a qualitative research method by utilizing the textual analysis methodology on the symbolic communication of the agricultural-related way of life of the characters featured in the movie. In this regard, the researcher selectively chose symbols that relate to “idealism” and “realism” philosophies that appear in the movie by primarily categorizing them into two opposing poles (binary oppositions). Subsequently, an analysis was then conducted to determine its context and implied denotative and connotative meaning that were told throughout the movie’s content through the agricultural community. The analysis was conducted from (1) the movie’s main theme, and (2) the elements of the content, specifically on issues related to the “idealism” and “realism” philosophies, and its relations to the social context at the time of the movie’s period and the time it was released.

        The results of the research found that the movie’s main plot features symbolic meanings of life’s philosophies based on idealism and realism through a binary oppositional storytelling method between the characters. The plot is presented through the content elements, which include scenes and dialogues that reflect the characters’ mindsets, behaviors, and the movie’s soundtracks, comparing traditional and modern farming practices between cabbage fields and durian orchards. The symbolic meaning of idealist philosophy is communicated through traditional farming practices, beliefs in supernatural beings, ghosts, deities and angels, blessings, curses, beliefs in sins, merits, reincarnation, religious ceremonies, ethnic ceremonies, and agricultural practices that respect and honor nature. Simultaneously, the symbolic meaning of realist philosophy is communicated through modern farming practices by the new generation (young smart farmers), thriving on facts and reasons, believing in actions that occur from oneself to achieve the purpose of life that one has chosen, through the use of agricultural technology to disburse nature and agricultural practices that do not give in to nature. The two groups of characters feature behaviors that combine traditionalism and modernity, which are characteristics of idealism and realism, respectively. It can also be construed that the movie’s text is a second-order symbolic meaning of the clash of ideas among people in current Thai society, which is characterized by an “ambiguity” between traditional and modern ways of life.