This film does relate to parts of the chapter, however I found that there is more dissent between what Foner articulates and what we see in the film. The Heart of Humanity's major underlying tone is that of the anti-german crusade, which Foner touches on briefly in chapter 19. The Germans are portrayed as nasty brute soldiers that murder families, rape women, and make children cry. This representation did not by any means give any of the persons who saw this film a good impression of Germans and especially German soldiers. However aside from that connection, I noticed that there wasn't much else to relate between the film and Foner, unless of course its main intention was to encourage the support the war thereby being a propaganda film The film encouraged involvement in the war on all accounts although death by gun seemed inevitable. Nanette left her child and family to become a red cross nurse and the 4th brother out of the 5 joined although he just got word that one of his other siblings had been killed. The adoring looks at the American Flag in conjunction with the blaring sounds of the Star Spangled Banner also give the feeling that this film was intended to manipulate rather than inform.
What can we learn about American culture during the time period by interpreting the film as a primary historical source?
We can learn that war was difficult on the home front as well as in the middle of battle itself. It was easy to understand that the loss of a son overseas was something that occurred quite often, as was represented by the deaths of four of the five sons. We can also learn that American culture was filled with courageous and outgoing men and women that, despite death awaiting them, thought it fitting to help the war effort by physically lending a helping hand. This film makes it seem that we should have an "inner calling", like Nanette did with the "baby voices calling from afar", to go and help in anyway we can.
What does this film reveal about attitudes toward gender, class, and race?
As far as gender goes, this film is supporting of either sex that is willing to donate time and effort to the war effort. Nanette is a hero because not only does she brings smiles to the faces of the the poor refugee children, but runs into burning buildings to save them! John is of course a war hero because he ends up making it through the dangers of war to Nanette and defeating the Germans both on the small scale (the German who is attacking his wife) and the larger scale (the war in general). Any attitudes concerning class were not really expressed in this film. The German race really took a beating in the film, The Heart of Humanity. As I mentioned earlier, they are depicted as brutal murders and people who make babies cry. In one scene, the German soldier throws an infant out of the window while he is in pursuit of raping Nanette. Even while Nanette is trying to give a German soldier aid, he is rude and forceful to her and ultimately get defeated by her dog. These scenes give the general attitude that the Germans are utter scum and we should support their down fall.
What was the most important scene in the film?
I believe the most important scene in this film is the very end where the "yanks, yanks, YANKS!" came and relieved John and Nanette as well as the refugee children, where they stand smiling at the large waving flag. I think this shows the true propaganda-ality of the film, where it's expressed that hard work and hard ships will pay off for the American Home front.
No comments:
Post a Comment