Difference between revisions of "329--Week 7 Questions/Comments"
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From Gooding's letters of the spring of 1863, he expresses disappointment at the small numbers of "colored" men volunteering for the 54th MA Regt., from first in March when there were not enough for a company, less than half a regiment in a month, and that that it was not filled until May. However, Glory gives us the impression that as soon as the call for "colored" men was put forth, enough enlisted to fill a regiment. This seems to be for the effect of making the 54th look even more heroic, with all its troops willing to sacrifice for their freedom and country from the very start, rather than gradually recruiting enough over more than two months. -Whitney H. | From Gooding's letters of the spring of 1863, he expresses disappointment at the small numbers of "colored" men volunteering for the 54th MA Regt., from first in March when there were not enough for a company, less than half a regiment in a month, and that that it was not filled until May. However, Glory gives us the impression that as soon as the call for "colored" men was put forth, enough enlisted to fill a regiment. This seems to be for the effect of making the 54th look even more heroic, with all its troops willing to sacrifice for their freedom and country from the very start, rather than gradually recruiting enough over more than two months. -Whitney H. | ||
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| + | The Colors: in Gooding's June 20 letter, he describes the attack on Ft. Wagner, including that Shaw took up the State colors after the first bearer was killed on the parapet, and that once he was killed a Sgt. Carney saved the colors, and even said the flag never touched the ground. Yet the movie portrays it very differently! Not only do we see both the US and the regimental flag on the ground when the 54th is taking cover behind a dune once the battle starts, but then we see Shaw assessing the situation and the US flag on the ground in front of him. Ironically, once he and the colorer-bearer get up and the latter is shot, Shaw, rather than pick up the colors, surges on, is shot, and dies falling onto the fallen colors! I don't know why it wouldn't have been heroic to show Shaw carrying the colors AND dying on them. After Denzel unsuccessfully tries to rescue the flag, we see both flags conspicuously in the picture gaining ground until the end, all the while both fully intact. The filmmakers took license in order to show the character of Private Trip, who has a change of heart and will carry the colors after all. And what can be more symbolic than for Old Glory to always be seen and to make it as far as the farthest soldier onto the fort? -Whitney H. | ||
== 3 Movie as primary source about makers/time/setting/genre == | == 3 Movie as primary source about makers/time/setting/genre == | ||
