FREE ESSAY ON GLORY

GLORY

The movie Glory showed the tensions that existed between the people that lived in that
period. Racial conflicts, as well as conflicts among those of the same race, gave the war
a strong foundation. The tensions varied from skin color, moral differences, political
differences, to even geographical differences. Whether dealing with race or location some
of these tensions are present today.
The movie Glory contained excellent examples of tension between characters. Colonel Shaw
stands out as being different from the other white men of the time by not being afraid to
speak his mind. Shaw thought that all the men were equal, no matter their color or
upbringing. However, Captain Forbes, a long time friend of Shaw, was a man that agreed
wholly with Shaw. When one of the members of the contraband left without permission, he
felt that Colonel Shaw's punishment was exceedingly harsh. In contrast, Shaw felt the
punishment fit the crime of attempted desertion. This conflict brought the viewer to put
into question Colonel Shaw's true beliefs. In spite of that, this feeling of Colonel Shaw
was a racist man was later removed by his subsequent actions.
There was not only conflict, but there was a certain type of connection that occurred
during the war. Colonel Shaw asked which one of the men would have the honor of carrying
the flag, and Thomas volunteered. The two men were friends since childhood, and this act
showed the bond between them. Thomas was like Colonel Shaw in many ways. He wanted to
fight for the interests of the Union, and like Colonel Shaw, he put all he had on the
line, including his freedom. Many men were like Colonel Shaw in this regard, as with any
person that fights today, life is in the line of fire, both in front of the gun and in
front of society.
Thomas and Tripp were shown in the film to have a relationship that was filled with
dislike for one another upbringing. Tripp disapproved of how Thomas escaped the harsh
life of slavery; he proved this by calling him snowflake and boy. These comments were
used to refer to him as "acting white", when his only fault was being educated. Thomas
mostly ignored Tripp's comments and crude behavior to prove to him self and others that
he was not on the same level as Tripp. Today this type of conflict is seen in people that
refer to others as "acting" a color.
Tension shown in the movie, are imbedded in the thoughts of our society. They may not be
premeditated, but since many our actions are done by emulation, there is hope for change.
Change is underway in the minds of many people in this nation already, it will continue
until everyone can accept people for who they are and not their race or beliefs. Whether
dealing with race or location some of these tensions are present today.
Bibliography
The movie glory basically i can't remember the actual dates.