Remaining Unbroken in the Face of Social Tension

Across the span of history, there are many stories of heroes with renowned bravery and self-sacrificial attitudes that has caused people to follow and imitate they’re actions. One of the greatest of these stories is the example of Olympian Louis Zamperini and his incredible life experiences that had an impact on so many people around the world. Among some of the trials that Zamperini faced during his life included being lost at sea for 47 days with two fellow soldiers and crewman, torture, and being sent to a prisoner of war camp all during the timeframe of WWII. Throughout the difficult times and trials that this WWII veteran faced, Zamperini showed his unbreakable spirit and characterized an attitude of commitment that not only inspired those around him but also the entire country of the United States. His actions had such an impact that the movie Unbroken came out in the year 2014 showing Zamperini’s experiences and inspirational attitude during WWII. Having recently watched Unbroken a few weeks prior to this blog, I believe there is much that can be taken from Zamperini’s story and example that we can apply to our own lives especially in a social climate that we find ourselves in today.

Throughout the course of the movie Unbroken, we see Zamperini be put under the microscope of a Japanese corporal named Mutsuhiro Watanabe. Watanabe is familiar with Zamperini’s past as an Olympic runner and to break the rest of the American prisoners within the camp determines to break Zamperini’s spirit and body through the duration of his time at the prisoner of war camp in Japan. In chapter 16 of the book Christian Perspectives on Sociology by Stephen Grunlan and Milton Reimer we see the topic of collective behavior and social movements is discussed and this example of Zamperini’s time in the prison camp goes along very well with what the book discusses. The amount of tension not only between the American prisoners and their Japanese overseers but also between Zamperini and Watanabe is highlighted numerous times throughout Unbroken. When Watanabe seems to have a “bad” day controlling the camp he turns of his attention and anger on Zamperini because of the belief that there were certain groups or people responsible for the problems taking place.

Christian Perspectives on Sociology describes this behavior and states that such hostile outbursts will not occur unless three conditions exist to make it so. The first of these that the book discusses on page 314 is that of having a strain in the system or having elements that somehow fail to operate harmoniously. During a time of war where we see nations at war including America and Japan I can see that this first condition would not be hard to achieve especially in a war camp where it was a goal to sap and destroy the enemies moral with every opportunity possible. The second condition includes a belief that is developed to identify or put blame on the cause of the strain that is occurring. Throughout Unbroken we see Watanabe create in his mind the idea that Zamperini has become the cause of all his problems and because of this becomes the corporal’s beating post to put it bluntly on many occasions. On one such occasion there is a prisoner who is caught stealing and plotting against the overseers of the camp but instead of further punishing that prisoner, the corporal commands that Zamperini take his place and issues a punishment that includes every prisoner within the camp punch Zamperini in the face before the day is conclusion. In this riveting scene, we see this second condition come to a climax at this first stage in the Japanese camp but however will not be the last instance of tension and strain between Louis Zamperini and Watanabe throughout the movie. There is a third condition discussed within Christian Perspectives on Sociology that pertains to an event that occurs that triggers action by giving a concrete substance to the belief. However, in the case of Unbroken, there is not much action that is shown by Zamperini that would indicate a fair reasoning as to why he is being singled out by Watanabe other than his status as a past Olympic runner and the fact that the two nations are at war.

This fact also ties in very well with chapter five of Christian Perspectives on Sociology and the subject of status and role that is discussed within that chapter. Zamperini’s status as an Olympic athlete not only has an affect his fellow prisoners and comrades but also on the Japanese soldiers and people that he comes in contact with in his duration at the prison camp. There is one instance in the movie where Zamperini is approached by Japanese radio men who hear of his capture and station at the prison camp and offer him a chance to escape those conditions. However, there is a catch for Zamperini as the only option to attain this small sense of freedom would come at the cost of having to radio his fellow countrymen and slander the cause that they are fighting and dying for. Knowing his current role as a WWII soldier and the affect that his words and actions could have on his fellow countrymen because of his status as well, Zamperini refuses the offer and instead returns to the harsh conditions and unfair treatment of the prison camp commanded by Watanabe. This is a great example of Zamperini facing role conflict and role strain which Christian Perspectives on Sociology discusses on page 98 of the book. Louis Zamperini understood the situation he was in and the difficulties that were presenting themselves and made a choice even though the consequences would be excruciating. While he could accept the comfort and care that was offered him, he understood that he would still have to live with the thought that he would be living in a paradise because of a selfish decision while his fellow countrymen would be suffering and in torment just down the road. I believe this part in the movie and Zamperini’s life showed his true character and is absolutely inspirational and devotional as he returned and gained utmost respect from friend and even enemy alike.

At the end of Unbroken we see the relationship between Zamperini and Watanabe reach an overwhelming climax as they face off in a situation with what seemingly must have felt like the whole world watching. Zamperini is commanded to hold a wooden beam over his head with orders that if it falls he will be shot on the spot. Facing impossible odds and in a starved and extremely weak condition, Zamperini somehow succeeds to lift the beam while the entire camp looks on to see what will occur. Unbelievably, Zamperini somehow manages to hold the beam for more than an hour while all work and toil ceases around the camp as everyone is riveted by the scene. Slowly the beam begins to dip lower and lower towards his shoulders but in a last burst of determination and willpower, Zamperini raises the beam even higher and looks the corporal in the eye with a challenge. This response is too much for the cowardly Watanabe who proceeds to yell “Stop looking at me!” and then beat the exhausted Zamperini in front of the entire camp as he realizes his reputation has been attacked and destroyed. This last example shows a fitting reason as to why the movie received its title and is a great illustration on how we can face and conquer social indifferences and injustices in our lives. Not only will most of us never experience such grueling conditions and difficulties in but the points in this movie and book can be used as inspiration and encouragement to combat a social climate that is becoming more and more opposed to Christianity today. As Christians we must understand that we can make no exception towards evil or sin that we find in our culture or social circles but must fight and abstain from conforming much as Zamperini did in his life. Doing so can help fellow Christians that surround us feel encouraged to take up this fight in the same manner and resolve to be unbroken in spirit and attitude and we seek to live for and glorify God in all that we do.