The Horseman on the roof

The English author, Jane Austen, once said, “In every power, of which taste is the foundation, excellence is pretty fairly divided between the sexes.” Throughout history, certain roles have been assigned to men and women based on what society deems acceptable. Since the beginning of human existence, women have assumed the role of nurturer; sacrificing themselves for the sake of their family, and guiding their loved ones through obstacles. However, men have been cast in the roles of provider and protector; therefore, men generally possess a more aggressive personality, and they often lack the ability to truly empathize with those around them because they learned to suppress their emotions. Nonetheless, throughout the movie, The Horseman on the Roof, the main characters Pauline and Angelo, battle with, and often times break through, gender barriers, showing that the restraints put on the behavior of men and women are unfair to both sexes in that they do not allow either gender to develop a full array of emotions.

[...] The ideas of society that have so long pervaded his every decision evaporate, and he follows what his heart tells him to do. After the exhausting night spent reviving Pauline, Angelo collapses. Pauline, though very weak, covers him up. This action shows the selflessness of both characters: Angelo saves Pauline and respects her sense of modesty; while Pauline, although barely avoiding death, covers Angelo. The Horseman on the Roof shows the progression of the two main characters from being nearly opposite of what society dictates, to fitting the roles, to creating [...]

[...] Pauline is not sure that everything will work out; she fears that, after the plague, her life will be empty due to the loss of so many; whereas Angelo’s future lies with the revolution, and his fear is that he will not have the courage to act. In this scene, Pauline and Angelo derive strength from one another-Angelo sees her as a strong and independent woman, not unlike his mother, and Pauline recognizes his noble decisions and comes to terms with her own fears. [...]