There are multiple ways that I believe that the discourse communities of law and science shaped the multi-literacies, thinking, and imaginations of audiences when it came to the Birth of a Nation. The first being most important, in the Wikipedia article it was stated, ” the film portrayed African-Americans as unintelligent and sexually aggressive towards white women and presented Ku Klux Klan as a heroic force”. It was mentioned that the African-Americans were played by white actor who wore “blackface”. The prejudices of the black race of the time made the representation of their race as a whole appear as bums and stupid.
- Crosscutting (Parallel Editing): alternative shots of two different people at the same time, split screen to show similar occurrences or similar time frame.
- Iris: “moving mask” to show emphasis to something or to start or end the scene.
- Typage: facial and body features that aid the truth of the character that it is being played.
47:00 – 48:50 What does Griffith want a viewer to feel about the woman and her family, therefor the South?
- What Griffith wants a viewer to feel about the woman and her family is that they are in danger, he shows how scared that they are, the mother holding her children tight far away from the destruction. They look very poor based on the costume choice. The appearance of fear with the family makes the viewer concerned for them and what is about to happen. Griffith wants the South to appear dangerous and very aggressive (not a save place).
19:00 – 21:42 & 1:32:19 – 1:37:00
- What I believe that Griffith wants a viewer to think about characters Silas Lynch and Lydia, biracial Americans as a whole, he sees them as less than equal. I’m having a hard time with this one because it’s really hard to tell. By the costumes and the direction of the camera I would presume that he wants the audience or the viewer to see that he is well with the other race.
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