The Fiddler on The Roof
In a changing world how can tradition exist? Changing one aspect of tradition can change tradition wholey. We must move along with the world and change with it. Norman Jewison suggests that The Fiddler on The Roof encourages us to accept change to pursue happiness by showing us to persevere the struggle, to be enthusiastic to change, and what it brings, but to also to evolve yourself with what it brings.

Tevye's daughters help show happiness and change by evolution; help loosen the threads of tradition by each daughters action of marrying who they love. Tzeitel and Motel mark the beginning of growth. Tzeitel pleads to Tevye to let her wed Motel, rather than follow tradition, and to be forced to married with Lazar Wolf the butcher. Perchik and Hodel mark the middle part of evolution by making their own decision to marry each other, they ask for Tevye’s blessing, and not his approval to be with each other. Lastly Fyedka and Chavas resolve is to rush away together knowing that they don't have Tevye’s permission. Tevye represents tradition and the struggle to persevere through change to a certain extent. His feeling of tradition is communicated repeatedly by his words. We notice the threads of belief in his tradition slowly, but surely start to unravel. In spite of Tevye’s frantic efforts to clash with change, he is time after time giving in to it. Although Tevye exhibits the plus side in achieving change when he finally recognizes that his daughters’ happiness is more crucial than pursuing tradition. Tevye also shows us negative side effects when we try not to accept change. This is demonstrated when he forbids their marriage, therefore Chava and Fyedka elope. Tevye now is missing Chava from his life, therefore he walks around with anguish in the eyes and his head hung down. Tevye obtains sadness and pain because he objects to the idea of change.

Perchick displays the willingness to agree with the ideas of change are dissimilar to the rest of the people in Anatevka . He is not restrained to tradition. Perchick has a very jaunty soul that allows him to accept change willingly. Perchick wishes that he could experience life to the fullest extent and experience everything that life brings to table. Others in town think of his ambition and opinions in a wild way. One of these wild behaviours is when he dances with Hodel. The dance between these two love birds is a huge stepping stone that helps show that change isn't bad at all. This straightforward dance shows a momentous change in the ways of tradition. When the other people at the party determine to copy and follow their lead noticing that this different style of dancing is nothing to worry about. As a result we see that change can upgrade our lives.

In closure, Fiddler on The Roof inspire us to accept change. Various characters shows us how change is an important and normal part of life. Perchick’s attitude and his responses throughout the movie shows us his willingness to let change in. Tevye shows us how we should practice our traditions, but also to recall that happiness is also just as important. To pursue happiness we must accept change and evolve with what it brings us.