Analysis of the Gettysburg Scene in the Movie ‘Remember the Titans’

At the opening of the Gettysburg scene in his movie ‘Remember the Titans’, Yakin starts with a long shot of the camp building and its surroundings. By using this shot, it tells the audience where the scene is taking place and at what time. As shown by the long shot, the audience can recognize that the setting of the scene is at the campsite, around midnight or early morning, because of the lack of lighting. When the fog-horn blares, all the lights in the building turn on quickly. This suggests that the characters in response were startled and surprised. Using a long shot to capture the building allows the audience to see the reactions of the characters to the loud noise.

In the next part of the scene, Yakin uses a mid-shot of all the players meeting the coaches in the courtyard. The character’s body language and facial expressions are shown in this shot. The characters are in white clothes, hunching their backs while they yawn and rub their eyes. The clothing of both the players and coaches symbolize how much power they hold. The color white wore by the players often represents people who are weak or under the command of someone else. The red wore by the coaches represents power and authority. However, the colors of both coaches are different. Coach Yoast has a dark red shirt on, which is almost margining into the background. Coach Boone has a vibrant and brighter red shirt on. This shows to the audience that Coach Boone holds more power and is the ‘boss’, as he is standing out more. His stance, when conversing with the other coach, is of an authority’s type, promoting this idea more. An important element of this scene is the entry points of the characters into the shot. It is observed that most of the black characters are entering from the left side of the building, while most of the white characters are coming from the right. This suggests to the audience that there is still tension-based of prejudice ideas between the two sides. Another mis-en-scene noticed is the lighting. The lighting is more present over the black characters, creating a contrast between them and the dark walls. This helps the audience better see the expressions of the characters.

In the next fragment of the scene, there is a sequence of long shots, mid-shots and close-up shots. The long shots are used to show the audience how the characters are moving, when and where the characters are. From the long shots and close-up shots, the audience can tell that the characters are running through the woods and water puddles. The mid shots help the audience see how tired the characters are through their actions and expressions. In this shot, they are bending over, while panting with beads of sweat on their forehead. This tells the audience that the players have run for quite some time. The lighting also establishes this idea, as the lighting is brighter giving the impression that the time is around dawn. Another element that adds meaning to this scene is the background music. The type of music being played is identified as a blues tune, which was played by African Americans when they were enslaved. The idea behind the music was to reflect how unfair and prejudice people were to them. Using this tune suggest to the audience that during this film black Americans were still facing racism, prejudice and unfairness, which causes the tension between the team.

The beginning of the graveyard scene starts with a long shot, showing Coach Boone and the graveyard behind. This tells the audience where the scene is taking place and who the main person is in this scene. Following the long shot is a mid-shot of the players who are panting, and a close-up shot of Coach Yoast rising with an expression of realization. This is an acting mis-en-scene that adds a sense of meaning as it conveys to the audience that Coach Boone is making an honorable point on how being racist or having prejudice ideas isn’t going to help anyone. Coach Boone gives an inspiring speech to his team, in which he encourages them to work together. He points out the destructive effect of fighting against your ‘brothers’ and motivates the players to overcome their differences. Throughout the speech, different camera angles were used. In the initial parts of the speech, a low angled close-up shot was used. This created the effect of power and inspiration. The camera then pans out into a close-up shot of Gerry Bertier, who is the captain of the team. His facial expressions indicate to the audience that Gerry is starting to realize the racial hatred. At this point, a slow instrumental start playing. The background music conveys a sad and inspiring tone to the audience. A mid-shot is used to when Coach Boone turns around to address his team. In this shot the gravestones are more defined and in focus, giving the impression of the futility of racial hatred. The camera cuts back to a close-up of one of the players, Ray, who looks thoughtful of his own racial actions and thoughts. The camera goes back to Coach Boone, who is slowly walking towards the team while saying, “I don’t care if you like each other or not, but you will respect each other. And maybe, I don’t know, maybe we’ll learn to play this game like men”. This statement causes Gerry to realize the role he has, as captain, to play in unifying the team and removing any racial and prejudice ideas. This is shown through the close-up shot in the ending of the scene.

Gettysburg Address: Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Introduction

The Gettysburg Address, delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863, stands as one of the most iconic speeches in American history. In this essay, we will conduct a rhetorical analysis of the Gettysburg Address, exploring its persuasive power, rhetorical devices, and its enduring impact on the collective memory of the nation. By examining the artistry and effectiveness of Lincoln’s words, we gain insight into the profound influence of rhetoric in shaping public opinion and inspiring a nation during a tumultuous time.

Purpose and Audience

The primary purpose of the Gettysburg Address was to commemorate the fallen soldiers and provide a unifying message during the midst of the Civil War. Lincoln aimed to rally the nation, reaffirm the ideals of democracy, and inspire a sense of shared sacrifice and purpose. His audience consisted of both Union and Confederate supporters, as well as the families of the deceased soldiers. By addressing the immediate context of the battle, Lincoln connected emotionally with the audience and sought to inspire them to preserve the ideals of liberty and equality.

Use of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln masterfully employed ethos, pathos, and logos to create a persuasive and emotionally resonant argument. Ethos, or credibility, was established through Lincoln’s position as President of the United States and his reputation as a moral leader. He appealed to the shared values and heritage of the American people, emphasizing the importance of preserving the Union and honoring the sacrifices made by the soldiers.

Pathos, or emotional appeal, played a crucial role in the speech. Lincoln tapped into the grief and sorrow felt by the audience, using vivid and poignant imagery to convey the human cost of the war. By referring to the battlefield as hallowed ground and emphasizing the duty to honor the fallen, he evoked a profound sense of loss and called upon the audience’s empathy.

Logos, or logical appeal, was also present in the address. Lincoln framed the Civil War as a test of whether a nation “conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal” could endure. He highlighted the significance of the battle and the larger struggle for equality, reinforcing the idea that the Union must prevail to ensure the preservation of democratic ideals.

Stylistic Devices and Structure

The Gettysburg Address exhibits a concise and powerful style, using various stylistic devices to enhance its impact. Lincoln employed parallelism, repetition, and antithesis to create a rhythmic and memorable flow to his words. The famous opening line, “Four score and seven years ago,” is a prime example of his use of parallelism. He also used repetition of key phrases, such as “we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow,” to emphasize his central message.

The structure of the speech followed a tripartite pattern, beginning with an acknowledgment of the purpose and significance of the gathering, followed by a reflection on the past and the sacrifices made by the soldiers, and concluding with a call to action and commitment to the future. This structure allowed Lincoln to build momentum and lead the audience towards a shared vision of unity and renewal.

Enduring Impact and Legacy

The rhetorical power of the Gettysburg Address lies not only in its immediate impact but also in its enduring legacy. The speech encapsulates the ideals and aspirations of the United States, serving as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and the preservation of democratic principles. Its brevity and eloquence have made it a model for subsequent speeches and have solidified Lincoln’s status as one of the greatest orators in American history.

Conclusion

Through a meticulous analysis of its rhetorical devices, purpose, and structure, it becomes clear that the Gettysburg Address is a testament to the power of words to shape history and inspire generations. Lincoln’s skillful use of ethos, pathos, and logos, combined with his stylistic devices, created a lasting impact on the collective memory of the nation. The Gettysburg Address continues to resonate with audiences today, serving as a timeless reminder of the sacrifices made and the ongoing quest for unity and equality.