The Truman Show and Creation, Essay Example

“The Truman Show”, directed by Peter Weir and filmed in Florida Panhandle, has certain connection and analogy to the Genesis book of the Holy Bible. In fact, this film describes a life of Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey), who was captured on the huge stage, where even the sun, the moon, and the ocean were artificial. In other words, producers of the show have recreated all of the actions of God – from the formation of the world to the creation of human beings. From the first moment of his life in his mother’s womb, Truman has been under a microscope of millions of people curiously watching and following every move he made. Though the movie might be understood as a representation of the almighty television, it in fact has a parallel with the creation and story of God and the human beings.

Christof (Ed Harris), the producer of the TV show, plays the role of Creator in this movie. Not only can he control the actions of other people who surround Truman, but also is a master of the wind, the flow of water, and even the sunset and sunrise. Christof directs his own version of the Garden of Eden. However, the primary difference between God and Christof is that the Lord has created the Earth not for his own pleasure, but for the benefit of the whole humanity. Christof is manipulating all means of power either to increase the rating of the show or to make the plot more unpredictable and breath-taking. For instance, in Genesis 1:3 the Lord said: “Let there be light”. If there was no light, there would be no life on Earth. Christof, however, orders to turn on the light at night just to find Truman, as the investors may break their contract and the TV show may be closed. He almost kills Truman, when the main hero is trying to escape from this virtual ‘paradise’. “Those who believe God lets horrible things happen to good people on purpose will see that kind of behavior reflected in Christof’s ‘plot twists’. In the Bible, God offers His love, but only if they obey His rules and commandments. His love is offered on His terms. Likewise, Christof only allows Truman to live normally as long as he doesn’t go against his will.” (Dougherty)

“The Truman Show” is a complete opposition to the Genesis chapters. Moreover, it seems that the plot of the film was specifically prepared to contradict the Bible. On the one hand, God has created Garden of Eden, a perfect place to live in. The Earth, day and night, water and wind, plants and animals were created to make human life more comfortable. Adam and Eve loved each other and wanted to stay there, but were driven out of the paradise because of the snake’s mischief. Additionally, Adam and Eve were created on the sixth day, not on the first. This means that everything is centered on life itself, not on the humans. In ‘The Truman Show’, the plot contradicts with the ideas in question. For instance, the TV show has started only when Truman was born. Secondly, he plays the main role in it. Therefore, life in the “city” is centered solely on him. Unlike Adam and Eve, he wants to escape and find freedom of action and thought. When he is given an opportunity to choose whether to stay or leave the stage, Truman does not hesitate. Adam and Eve were not given such opportunity and were never tempted to escape from the place their Father had chosen and created for them.

There is sound evidence that Cristof desired to be a creator of a perfect world, a world where selfishness, betray, and hatred does not exist. However, the whole idea of the show was a great lie, which was soon revealed by Truman. Partly like in Genesis, where God is represented as an angry, bloodthirsty, and vigorous creator, Cristof is only pleased by Truman when the last follows his will. However, it is vivid that he likes Truman and tries to make up a perfect place for existence. Cristof urges Truman that the world outside the artificial town is cruel and miserable, but it was Truman’s choice and will to leave the ‘perfect’ world. “God’s enemy would love for us to believe that Adam longed to be free from the oppressive control of God. He would long for us to believe that Adam had no relationship with God and that God had no real interest in the welfare of Adam. Satan would love for us to believe that Adam was just a toy to God; an amusement” (Myers). Unlike Truman, Adam had to leave the garden.

Another idea that seems to link to the Bible scriptures is that Sylvia represents the serpent from the Garden of Eden. Truman fall in love with Sylvia at first sight and cannot throw her out of his head. In other words, she tempts him to leave the garden and follow her. Though the Bible suggest that Adam and Eve betrayed the Lord by eating the forbidden apple, it is hard to blame Truman for displeasing Cristof. Truman seeks for the truth and realizes the artificiality around him. He understands that he is a mere puppet in the hands of the producer and in the movie, we realize that Sylvia actually rescues Truman, rather than misleading him.

In essence the movie gives us a chance to think over the relationship between men and God, and understand that the true God does not force or restrain us from doing anything; human beings have a freedom of choice, will, and action and are responsible for themselves. In the show, we become victims of the untrue God, who does only what he thinks is right and fully control the life of men. He creates the world solely for the monetary benefit and Truman becomes his source of income. It is likely that the movie illustrates the ideas and thoughts that devil would wish us to believe in.

Works Cited

Dougherty, R. The Truman Show: Where Reality TV and the Bible Meet. Associated content. January 21, 2008. <http:/ /www.associatedcontent.com/article/555545/the_truman_show_where_reality_tv_and_pg3.html?cat=38>.

Myers, J. The Truman Show. 13 July 2002. 13 June 2009. <http://www.leaderu.com/humanities/trumanshow.html>