Arya U.S. History

By learning through historical movies such as Glory, and 12 Years a Slave, which accurately focus on the most significant parts of pre-Civil War US history, you are able to attain a more in-depth understanding of the matter as you are provided with a first-hand view, as well as being more engaged and interested. Supplemented by research, a student can gain fuller insight into real events, develop greater analytical abilities, as well as understanding attitudes typical to certain figures, allowing you to empathize to further ideas.

In order to gain all the advantages provided by movie based learning, a critical process is making sure that information is legitimate, which in itself is a great learning experience. After watching 12 Years a Slave, the first thing I did was search for primary documentation to compare to the movie, allowing an opportunity to validate and reinforce information learned, as well as discovering new information. 12 Years a Slave very accurately depicted many major points surrounding slavery such as master/mistress-slave relations and slave family hardships. In the movie, the main character Solomon North is separated from his family and fights to find them. The movie also contains scenes of mother and children being separated from one another. After researching the topic of slave family separation, I came across numerous primary sources and documentation of many families being separated. One source found was a newspaper article in the Colored Tennessean of a child searching for his mother after being separated for decades, “Information is wanted of my mother, whom I left in Fauquier county, Va., to Saml. Copland. I formerly belonged to Robert Rogers. I am very anxious to hear from my mother and any information in relation to her whereabouts will be very thankfully received” (Colored Tennessean Newspaper October 7, 1865). This is one of many similar newspaper ads I found that matched up to the circumstances of the slaves in the movie who were separated from their families, but it also was able to give me more information by helping me empathize with the authors as they were once were real people. After finding these newspapers, I realized that there will be many other sources which will allow me to better understand the slave’s hardships.

I then found a slave’s narrative regarding mistress-slave relationships. Patsy, a young slave girl from 12 Years a Slave, was raped by her Master but was severely tortured and blamed by her mistress. I was once again able to find numerous narratives almost identical to the situation depicted in the movie, "Maria was a thirteen-year-old house servant. One day, receiving no response to her call, the mistress began searching the house for her. Finally, she opened the parlor door, and there was the child with her master. The master ran out of the room, mounted his horse and rode off to escape, 'though well he knew that [his wife's] full fury would fall upon the young head of his victim.' The mistress beat the child and locked her up in a smokehouse. For two weeks the girl was constantly whipped. Some of the elderly servants attempted to plead with the mistress on Maria's behalf, and even hinted that 'it was mass'r that was to blame.' The mistress's reply was typical: 'She'll know better in the future. After I've done with her, she'll never do the like again, through ignorance'" (A Slave’s Narrative, Page 132). By reading this, I was able to see the unfortunate accuracy in the movie and was able to realize the extent of the horridity in the situation by gaining a deeper insight into the reality of the story.

This same process or researching to validate the film was carried on with the movie Glory, and I noticed that the knowledge outcome was similar. Glory depicted many scenes showing the harsh realities of the war, as well as the adversity that comes with being an african-american soldier. Reading descriptions of this from a textbook does not provide the same impact as visualizing it first-hand. By being able to see the accurately depicted gory scenes whether it be on the battlefield or the unfairness towards these men, you are able to get a better understanding of the true circumstances by seeing emotions play out on the screen. One primary source narrative I read regarding the lack of shoes amongst african american soldiers causing foot rot was described as, ““If you have never had trench foot described to you, I will explain. Your feet swell to two to three times their normal size and go completely dead. You can stick a bayonet into them and not feel a thing. If you are lucky enough not to lose your feet and the swelling starts to go down, it is then that the most indescribable agony begins. I have heard men cry and scream with pain and many have had to have their feet and legs amputated. I was one of the lucky ones, but one more day in that trench and it may have been too late.” (Harry Roberts, Letters from the Trenches). Although this description is vivid, being able to actually visualize the emotions that go along with it is crucial into being able to empathize with the soldiers.

Along with the ability to empathize with these historical figures, as well as the information that comes with researching to find validation in the film, you further develop your analytical abilities. This comes naturally by using this process of research linked to the movie because thinking in an analytical fashion is necessary in creating questions to research, in hopes of finding the similarities and differences between the movies and reality.

Sources:

Reel views article, Historically Accuracy of Glory

I used this source as a starting point to see other people's opinions on whether or not they believed Glory is historically accurate

NYTs article, Historical Accuracy in 12 Years

I used this source as a starting point to see other people's opinions on whether or not they believed 12 Years a Slave is historically accurate

Bowdoin University - Slave Narrative

This source was used for information on Mistress-Slave relations, provided primary source evidence (quotes from Slaves Narrative)

Now and Then article on slavery's affect on families.

This provided information on how slavery affected African-American families

Rogerebert article on life as a black soldier

Life in the ranks as a black soldier

Rogerebert article life as a black soldier