Reference no: EM133635563
Glory Questions
Glory was inspired by the true story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the first African-American military unit created in the North. President Abraham Lincoln's main objective at the start of the Civil War was to preserve the Union, not to abolish slavery. During the middle of the war, freeing the slaves became a military objective and Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation. Also, African Americans were allowed to fight and volunteered for military service. Watch the movie and answer the following questions in complete paragraphs - one to four paragraphs for each question.
1. Describe how the method of fighting during Antietam and throughout the Civil War contributed to the high casualty rate.
2. How does the movie connect the Battle of Antietam, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the formation of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment?
3. The characters in Glory represent different aspects of the African American experience during the Civil War. Watch the actions and dialog of each character and think about what he symbolizes or stands for in the movie. What do Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (actual historical character), Private Silas Trip, Sergeant Major John Rawlins, Major Cabot Forbes, and Corporal Thomas Searles represent?
4. How are African American soldiers treated in the Union army? Does the treatment of African Americans change as the volunteers develop into a fighting unit?
5. Glory makes an argument regarding service in the Union military and equality and citizenship. This is seen when the 54th Regiment gets paid for their service. What argument is being made? The Dred Scott (Dred Scott v. Sandford, 1857) decision stated African Americans could not and would never be citizens of the United States.
6. What do you feel is the main theme or message of the movie? Select one event/scene that illustrates the main theme of the movie.
7. How many stars would you give the movie - from a scale of 1 (not recommend) to 5 (highly recommend) Why? What did you like or dislike about the movie? Or, what were the strengths and weaknesses of the movie?
8. Glory was released in 1989 and the movie is told through the eyes of a white officer, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. How would you remake the movie today? Who would be the main protagonist? Why?