D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation

D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation PDF Author: Melvyn Stokes
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199887519
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 741

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this deeply researched and vividly written volume, Melvyn Stokes illuminates the origins, production, reception and continuing history of this ground-breaking, aesthetically brilliant, and yet highly controversial movie. By going back to the original archives, particularly the NAACP and D. W. Griffith Papers, Stokes explodes many of the myths surrounding The Birth of a Nation (1915). Yet the story that remains is fascinating: the longest American film of its time, Griffith's film incorporated many new features, including the first full musical score compiled for an American film. It was distributed and advertised by pioneering methods that would quickly become standard. Through the high prices charged for admission and the fact that it was shown, at first, only in "live" theaters with orchestral accompaniment, Birth played a major role in reconfiguring the American movie audience by attracting more middle-class patrons. But if the film was a milestone in the history of cinema, it was also undeniably racist. Stokes shows that the darker side of this classic movie has its origins in the racist ideas of Thomas Dixon, Jr. and Griffith's own Kentuckian background and earlier film career. The book reveals how, as the years went by, the campaign against the film became increasingly successful. In the 1920s, for example, the NAACP exploited the fact that the new Ku Klux Klan, which used Griffith's film as a recruiting and retention tool, was not just anti-black, but also anti-Catholic and anti-Jewish, as a way to mobilize new allies in opposition to the film. This crisply written book sheds light on both the film's racism and the aesthetic brilliance of Griffith's filmmaking. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the cinema.

D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation

D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation PDF Author: Melvyn Stokes
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199887519
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 741

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this deeply researched and vividly written volume, Melvyn Stokes illuminates the origins, production, reception and continuing history of this ground-breaking, aesthetically brilliant, and yet highly controversial movie. By going back to the original archives, particularly the NAACP and D. W. Griffith Papers, Stokes explodes many of the myths surrounding The Birth of a Nation (1915). Yet the story that remains is fascinating: the longest American film of its time, Griffith's film incorporated many new features, including the first full musical score compiled for an American film. It was distributed and advertised by pioneering methods that would quickly become standard. Through the high prices charged for admission and the fact that it was shown, at first, only in "live" theaters with orchestral accompaniment, Birth played a major role in reconfiguring the American movie audience by attracting more middle-class patrons. But if the film was a milestone in the history of cinema, it was also undeniably racist. Stokes shows that the darker side of this classic movie has its origins in the racist ideas of Thomas Dixon, Jr. and Griffith's own Kentuckian background and earlier film career. The book reveals how, as the years went by, the campaign against the film became increasingly successful. In the 1920s, for example, the NAACP exploited the fact that the new Ku Klux Klan, which used Griffith's film as a recruiting and retention tool, was not just anti-black, but also anti-Catholic and anti-Jewish, as a way to mobilize new allies in opposition to the film. This crisply written book sheds light on both the film's racism and the aesthetic brilliance of Griffith's filmmaking. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the cinema.

The Birth of a Nation

The Birth of a Nation PDF Author: Michael T. Martin
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780253042354
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 344

Get Book Here

Book Description
Over one hundred years since it premiered on cinema screens, D. W. Griffith's controversial photoplay The Birth of a Nation continues to influence American film production and to have relevance for race relations in the United States. This work challenges the idea the United States has moved beyond racial problems and highlights the role of film and representation in the continued struggle for equality.

The Birth of a Nation

The Birth of a Nation PDF Author: Dick Lehr
Publisher: PublicAffairs
ISBN: 1610398246
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 387

Get Book Here

Book Description
In 1915, two men -- one a journalist agitator, the other a technically brilliant filmmaker -- incited a public confrontation that roiled America, pitting black against white, Hollywood against Boston, and free speech against civil rights. Monroe Trotter and D. W. Griffith were fighting over a film that dramatized the Civil War and Reconstruction in a post-Confederate South. Almost fifty years earlier, Monroe's father, James, was a sergeant in an all-black Union regiment that marched into Charleston, South Carolina, just as the Kentucky cavalry -- including Roaring Jack Griffith, D. W.'s father -- fled for their lives. Griffith's film, The Birth of a Nation, included actors in blackface, heroic portraits of Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, and a depiction of Lincoln's assassination. Freed slaves were portrayed as villainous, vengeful, slovenly, and dangerous to the sanctity of American values. It was tremendously successful, eventually seen by 25 million Americans. But violent protests against the film flared up across the country. Monroe Trotter's titanic crusade to have the film censored became a blueprint for dissent during the 1950s and 1960s. This is the fiery story of a revolutionary moment for mass media and the nascent civil rights movement, and the men clashing over the cultural and political soul of a still-young America standing at the cusp of its greatest days.

The Birth of Nations

The Birth of Nations PDF Author: Philip Caryl Jessup
Publisher: New York : Columbia University Press
ISBN: 9780231037211
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 361

Get Book Here

Book Description
Explores the birth of seven new nations following World War II including Korea, Indonesia, Morroco, Tunesia, Libya, Somalia, Eritrea and Israel.

Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine PDF Author: Craig Nelson
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 9780143112389
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 436

Get Book Here

Book Description
A fresh new look at the Enlightenment intellectual who became the most controversial of America's founding fathers Despite his being a founder of both the United States and the French Republic, the creator of the phrase "United States of America," and the author of Common Sense, Thomas Paine is the least well known of America's founding fathers. This edifying biography by Craig Nelson traces Paine's path from his years as a London mechanic, through his emergence as the voice of revolutionary fervor on two continents, to his final days in the throes of dementia. By acquainting us as never before with this complex and combative genius, Nelson rescues a giant from obscurity-and gives us a fascinating work of history.

Birth of a Nation

Birth of a Nation PDF Author: Gerard Loughran
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 0857732056
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 461

Get Book Here

Book Description
Launched in Nairobi in 1960, three years before the birth of independent Kenya, the Nation group of newspapers grew up sharing the struggles of an infant nation, suffering the pain of its failures and rejoicing in its successes. Marking its 50th anniversary in 2010, the Nation looks back on its performance as the standard-bearer for journalistic integrity and how far it fell short or supported the loyalty demanded by its founding slogan 'The Truth shall make you free'. The Aga Khan was still a student at Harvard University when he decided that an honest and independent newspaper would be a crucial contribution to East Africa's peaceful transition to democracy. The "Sunday Nation" and "Daily Nation" were launched in 1960 when independence for Kenya was not far over the horizon. They quickly established a reputation for honesty and fair-mindedness, while shocking the colonial and settler establishment by calling for the release of the man who could become the nation's first prime minister, Jomo Kenyatta, and early negotiations for 'Uhuru'. The history of the 'Nation' papers and that of Kenya are closely intertwined; in the heat of its printing presses and philosophical struggles, that story is told here: from committed beginnings to its position today as East Africa's leading newspaper group.

The Clansman: An Historical Romance of the Ku Klux Klan

The Clansman: An Historical Romance of the Ku Klux Klan PDF Author: Jr. Thomas Dixon
Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 339

Get Book Here

Book Description
Prepare to journey into a controversial and tumultuous period of American history with Jr. Thomas Dixon's "The Clansman: An Historical Romance of the Ku Klux Klan." Delve into the heart of the Reconstruction era as Dixon weaves a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and racial conflict. Follow the intertwined fates of two families against the backdrop of post-Civil War America, as they grapple with the profound social and political changes sweeping across the South. Through vivid prose and rich historical detail, Dixon paints a vivid portrait of a society torn apart by violence and prejudice. Explore the themes and motifs that permeate Dixon's narrative, from the struggle for power and dominance to the enduring legacy of slavery and segregation. His portrayal of the Ku Klux Klan and its role in shaping the course of history offers a provocative and sometimes unsettling glimpse into a dark chapter of American history. Embark on a comprehensive character analysis as Dixon brings to life a cast of complex and conflicted individuals, each grappling with their own moral dilemmas and personal demons. From the fiery rhetoric of the Klan leader to the quiet courage of those who resist its tyranny, Dixon's characters resonate with depth and authenticity. The overall tone of "The Clansman" is one of tension and suspense, as Dixon explores the volatile dynamics of race, class, and power in the aftermath of the Civil War. His narrative is both provocative and thought-provoking, challenging readers to confront the legacy of slavery and its enduring impact on American society. Since its publication, "The Clansman" has been the subject of intense controversy and debate, with critics condemning its glorification of racism and violence, while others defend it as a work of historical fiction. Regardless of where one stands on the issue, Dixon's novel remains a compelling and provocative exploration of one of the darkest periods in American history. As you immerse yourself in Dixon's narrative, you'll find yourself drawn into a world of passion, intrigue, and moral ambiguity. His vivid storytelling and evocative prose make "The Clansman" a gripping read that will leave a lasting impression on readers long after the final page is turned. Don't miss your chance to explore the complexities of race and power in post-Civil War America with Jr. Thomas Dixon's "The Clansman." Whether you're drawn to its historical significance or its controversial themes, this provocative novel is sure to spark conversation and inspire reflection on the enduring legacy of slavery and segregation in America.

A Nation Among Nations

A Nation Among Nations PDF Author: Thomas Bender
Publisher: Hill and Wang
ISBN: 1429927593
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 388

Get Book Here

Book Description
A provocative book that shows us why we must put American history firmly in a global context–from 1492 to today. Immerse yourself in an insightful exploration of American history in A Nation Among Nations. This compelling book by renowned author Thomas Bender paints a different picture of the nation's history by placing it within the broader canvas of global events and developments. Events like the American Revolution, the Civil War, and subsequent imperialism are examined in a new light, revealing fundamental correlations with simultaneous global rebellions, national redefinitions, and competitive imperial ambitions. Intricacies of industrialization, urbanization, laissez-faire economics, capitalism, socialism, and technological advancements become globally interconnected phenomena, altering the solitary perception of these being unique American experiences. A Nation Among Nations isn’t just a history book–it's a thought-provoking journey that transcends geographical boundaries, encouraging us to delve deeper into the globally intertwined series of events that spun the American historical narrative.

What Is a Nation? and Other Political Writings

What Is a Nation? and Other Political Writings PDF Author: Ernest Renan
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 0231547145
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 535

Get Book Here

Book Description
Ernest Renan was one of the leading lights of the Parisian intellectual scene in the second half of the nineteenth century. A philologist, historian, and biblical scholar, he was a prominent voice of French liberalism and secularism. Today most familiar in the English-speaking world for his 1882 lecture “What Is a Nation?” and its definition of a nation as an “everyday plebiscite,” Renan was a major figure in the debates surrounding the Franco-Prussian War, the Paris Commune, and the birth of the Third Republic and had a profound influence on thinkers across the political spectrum who grappled with the problem of authority and social organization in the new world wrought by the forces of modernization. What Is a Nation? and Other Political Writings is the first English-language anthology of Renan’s political thought. Offering a broad selection of Renan’s writings from several periods of his public life, most previously untranslated, it restores Renan to his place as one of France’s major liberal thinkers and gives vital critical context to his views on nationalism. The anthology illuminates the characteristics that distinguished nineteenth-century French liberalism from its English and American counterparts as well as the more controversial parts of Renan’s legacy, including his analysis of colonial expansion, his views on Islam and Judaism, and the role of race in his thought. The volume contains a critical introduction to Renan’s life and work as well as detailed annotations that assist in recovering the wealth and complexity of his thought.

Early Cinema and the "National"

Early Cinema and the Author: Richard Abel
Publisher: Indiana University Press
ISBN: 0861969154
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 362

Get Book Here

Book Description
Essays on “how motion pictures in the first two decades of the 20th century constructed ‘communities of nationality’ . . . recommended.” —Choice While many studies have been written on national cinemas, Early Cinema and the “National” is the first anthology to focus on the concept of national film culture from a wide methodological spectrum of interests, including not only visual and narrative forms, but also international geopolitics, exhibition and marketing practices, and pressing linkages to national imageries. The essays in this richly illustrated landmark anthology are devoted to reconsidering the nation as a framing category for writing cinema history. Many of the 34 contributors show that concepts of a national identity played a role in establishing the parameters of cinema’s early development, from technological change to discourses of stardom, from emerging genres to intertitling practices. Yet, as others attest, national meanings could often become knotty in other contexts, when concepts of nationhood were contested in relation to colonial/imperial histories and regional configurations. Early Cinema and the “National” takes stock of a formative moment in cinema history, tracing the beginnings of the process whereby nations learned to imagine themselves through moving images.