The Purple Heart

How does the film relate to the chapter in Foner?

The Purple Heart tells the story of a group of US soldiers who to their misfortune, find themselves being tried by the Japanese for murder of civilians and the bombing of hospitals. As Foner often does, he connects his chapter on World War II to ideas of freedom. However, throughout the film the soldiers concepts of freedom are constricted greatly by the Japanese Court. They stand strong throughout horrendous tortures and refuse to give into the “un-American” ways of the Japanese General Mitsoubi. This hard headed effort put forth by the American soldiers represents Foner’s idea of using the country to spread democracy. By not revealing whether or not the US carrier was in a Japanese bay even under scrupulous watch and intense torture, the soldiers back up Foner’s notion that by example, the US would lead and teach about democracy, trust, liberty, and freedom. Foner’s chapter speaks strongly of the fight for the four freedoms. In relation to the film, the soldiers being tried are fighting for their individual freedom, which the concept of the four freedoms greatly emphasizes.

What can we learn about American culture during the time period by interpreting the film as a primary historical source?

By interpreting The Purple Heart as a primary historical source, we really cannot learn much about American culture except what is portrayed by the captured group of soldiers who are on trial in Japan. However from this we can conclude that all American soldiers are very loyal to their country and even when faced with death, they will keep national secrets safe and guarded. The film can also express the strong distrust and disgust American people had for the Japanese government at this time. With representation of the Japanese as people who fabricate evidence and do not allow for the American soldiers to be equally represented. Also, the torture the American soldiers were subject to by General Mistsoubi acts as an item to portray dislike for the methods of the Japanese government in World War II.

What does this film reveal about attitudes towards gender, class, and race?

As far as gender and class are concerned, there is not much mention of either throughout this film. Unless of course that the military of both the Japanese and the Americans are all male, and the only instance of a woman being present is that of the one on the jury. Race however is the big issue in this film because of the competing countries of Japan and America in the war. This film portrays the Japanese and their government as deceptive and heartless. It also pinpoints some of the Chinese as dishonest because the Chinese man that they stayed with after sold them out to the Japanese government even after he promised he wouldn’t. This dishonesty of the Chinese is however remedied by the Chinese man’s son, when he kills his father and claims loyalty to the United States.

What was the most important scene in the film?

The most important scene in this film would definitely be the ending in which the soldiers decide to put their wings in a jar, whole if they weren’t going to disclose the location of the hornet, and broken if they were. Even though broken meant their freedom, none of the soldiers broke their wings and placed them in their jar. This is important because it signifies the loyalties and perseverance of the American soldiers who were fighting for our country in World War II. They would give up their own freedoms for the benefit of America and the freedom and wellbeing of its citizens.