The main theme in Broken Blossoms directed by D.W. Griffith is cruelty and intolerance against innocent people. This is shown in the way Lucy’s father treats her and the way he, and the community, treat Cheng just because he is asian. Finally, the way the movie is filmed shows how normal racism was in this era and in this movie. Lucy is terrified of her father, and for good reason. He is an abusive alcoholic and makes Lucy cook and clean for him like a slave. He spends all the money on alcohol and things for himself; she hasn’t even gotten her own doll in her lifetime. Lucy is an innocent character, she is young and tries to make her father happy. If she does not, he beats her to a pulp, eventually to death. Another example of cruelty and
