Difference between revisions of "329-2010--Week 7 Questions/Comments"

One aspect the movie showed in the the opening scene was how much contact Col. Shaw had with his family, specifically his mother, back home through the letters he wrote. This scene definitely gives insight into what every other Union soldier was doing at that time, showing how they could have easily tell those at home how the war was going and influence their thoughts on the war. Also the first scene with Frederick Douglass (who is one SCARY looking dude!) shows him actively campaigning for the creation of an African American regiment in the Union army. --Erin L.

One aspect the movie showed in the the opening scene was how much contact Col. Shaw had with his family, specifically his mother, back home through the letters he wrote. This scene definitely gives insight into what every other Union soldier was doing at that time, showing how they could have easily tell those at home how the war was going and influence their thoughts on the war. Also the first scene with Frederick Douglass (who is one SCARY looking dude!) shows him actively campaigning for the creation of an African American regiment in the Union army. --Erin L.

At the beginning of the movie, the war was not yet one for abolition.  The North was somewhat antislavery, but there were some obvious racist elements in parts of the Union Army.  When they walk into camp for the first time they are ridiculed.  Also the scene where a white regiment passes by the area in which they are doing manual labor in South Carolina shows that Union soldiers did not see African Americans as equals and did not think they should be allowed to wear the Union uniform.  Even when a superior officer, Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins, commands the white soldiers to move along, they ignore him and a fight almost breaks out.  They make a very racist comment about giving stripes to an African American.  One powerful scene was when Colonel Shaw saw the feet of the soldiers.  He knew he had to demand shoes and uniforms because the superior officers in the war department were not going to listen to soft requests.  What is interesting to note is the real life Shaw was a very young colonel, so it makes sense to cast a young actor.  However, I am not quite sure if Matthew Broderick is a very convincing colonel.  He definitely had his strong and noble moments, but there were some points where he could have reacted with more emotion. -Samantha W.

At the beginning of the movie, the war was not yet one for abolition.  The North was somewhat antislavery, but there were some obvious racist elements in parts of the Union Army.  When they walk into camp for the first time they are ridiculed.  Also the scene where a white regiment passes by the area in which they are doing manual labor in South Carolina shows that Union soldiers did not see African Americans as equals and did not think they should be allowed to wear the Union uniform.  Even when a superior officer, Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins, commands the white soldiers to move along, they ignore him and a fight almost breaks out.  They make a very racist comment about giving stripes to an African American.  One powerful scene was when Colonel Shaw saw the feet of the soldiers.  He knew he had to demand shoes and uniforms because the superior officers in the war department were not going to listen to soft requests.  What is interesting to note is the real life Shaw was a very young colonel, so it makes sense to cast a young actor.  However, I am not quite sure if Matthew Broderick is a very convincing colonel.  He definitely had his strong and noble moments, but there were some points where he could have reacted with more emotion. -Samantha W.