Colonel Shaw And Major Forbes: Film Analysis

Colonel Shaw and Major Forbes viewed the 54th Massachusetts troops in different ways, because Col. Shaw saw them as soldiers in training, and Major Forbes didn’t think they could fight. Col. Shaw also saw them as a group of men who needed a lot of discipline and intense training in order to become good soldiers. Major Forbes saw the troops in a more relaxed manner, where he viewed them more like average men.
Col. Shaw brought in Sgt. Mulcahy, because he believed that the soldiers needed lots of discipline in their training. I did not think Sgt. Mulcahy's methods were appropriate because he physically hurt his own soldiers and used very offensive language. Even though I do not believe his methods were appropriate, they were proven to be effective because the soldiers were respectful and disciplined. …show more content…
Throughout his experience, Thomas learned how to be more violent, and how it was important to address Col. Shaw properly to show discipline and respect. Later in the movie, Thomas was able to display his toughness by taking a gunshot wound to the shoulder during the battle at James Island.
Trip and Col. Shaw maintained eye contact throughout Trip’s flogging because Shaw firmly believed that it was important that they demonstrated discipline in order to make sure the men would become strong soldiers. You could tell by the look in Col. Shaw’s eyes, that he did not want to hurt Trip, because he looked appalled when he saw the scars on Trip’s back. You could see in Trip’s eyes that he was trying to remain calm during the flogging, even though he was in an immense amount of