OPPapers.com

The Study Of Slavey In Film And Literature

Throughout time, the history of slavery has been shown by film and popular literature. In the beginning, when film and literature were becoming important factors amongst society, slavery was being depicted as a job enjoyed by slaves or field work that wasn't as harsh as it seemed. This false pretence of slavery swept the nation and many Americans fell into this belief. But books such as My Bondage and My Freedom, written by Frederick Douglass, Life of a Slave Girl, written by Harriet A. Jacobs, and movies such as Roots, show a different aspect of what really went on during the many years of slavery. These forms of writing and film displayed the harsh and rugged reality of being a slave. Though some schools use these sources to show the truth about the struggle of slavery, many schools still are using outdated forms of literature that still try and soften the history of slavery or schools just spend minimal time on the subject giving students a vague look at what really happened. All this leads to a society that is blinded to the truth on what really happened during slavery. With this said, it is very important for Americans to understand the effect slavery has had on the South, but also America.

Many authors of literature and directors of film have tried to display slavery in their own way. Though some of show the true history of slavery, many of these novels and movies have become popular among Americans; even though they give a very vague or distorted look on the history of slavery. Some even show how slavery is right and how African-Americans wouldn't fit in a white society. These are a few movies and novels that were popular among the American people and that are still being shown in this time as slave history. The Birth of a Nation, directed by D.W. Griffith, was the most popular film of the silent era. Its very innovative technique made it the most important silent film ever produced. But the film also provided historical justification for segregation and...