The Civil War Through Many Eyes
The Civil War film, Glory (1989), directed by Edward Zwick is about the 54th Regiment’s failed attack on Fort Wagner. It depicts the struggles of African Americans who joined the Union army, and the issues they are faced with. Although being allowed to fight with white Union soldiers was a turning point for them, they still experienced racism and abuse from many. After accepting to lead a black regiment, Colonel Robert Shaw is confronted with making difficult decisions: following the ways of white officers or standing up for the African American soldiers. Glory shows the reality of the Civil War through the eyes of both, Colonel Shaw, and African American soldiers, to put forth the message of the brutality and harshness of the war. For the most part, Glory takes the perspective of the Civil War from Colonel Robert Shaw’s standpoint, the main character, to show the audience …show more content…
Instead of finally achieving equality after being accepted into the army, as they had hoped, they only encountered more racism. They lack the proper necessities for fighting such as shoes and clothing; and as a result of trying to obtain these items, Trip is flogged in front of his regiment by white officers. Although he is used to this sort of treatment, for he was a former slave, he thought that those times for him were over. Continuing on, black soldiers were paid ten dollars instead of the usual thirteen dollars, because of their race. When Rawlins becomes a sergeant, he is treated with disrespect by another white officer even though he was superior to him. Rank did not matter to the white officer, only race did. Even though they were being discriminated against by the men which they fought hand in hand with, they still continued to fight, As stated, “it proved to be a turning point for blacks.”(William
The Civil War film, Glory (1989), directed by Edward Zwick is about the 54th Regiment’s failed attack on Fort Wagner. It depicts the struggles of African Americans who joined the Union army, and the issues they are faced with. Although being allowed to fight with white Union soldiers was a turning point for them, they still experienced racism and abuse from many. After accepting to lead a black regiment, Colonel Robert Shaw is confronted with making difficult decisions: following the ways of white officers or standing up for the African American soldiers. Glory shows the reality of the Civil War through the eyes of both, Colonel Shaw, and African American soldiers, to put forth the message of the brutality and harshness of the war. For the most part, Glory takes the perspective of the Civil War from Colonel Robert Shaw’s standpoint, the main character, to show the audience …show more content…
Instead of finally achieving equality after being accepted into the army, as they had hoped, they only encountered more racism. They lack the proper necessities for fighting such as shoes and clothing; and as a result of trying to obtain these items, Trip is flogged in front of his regiment by white officers. Although he is used to this sort of treatment, for he was a former slave, he thought that those times for him were over. Continuing on, black soldiers were paid ten dollars instead of the usual thirteen dollars, because of their race. When Rawlins becomes a sergeant, he is treated with disrespect by another white officer even though he was superior to him. Rank did not matter to the white officer, only race did. Even though they were being discriminated against by the men which they fought hand in hand with, they still continued to fight, As stated, “it proved to be a turning point for blacks.”(William