Birth Of A Nation: Art Or Propaganda

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image is subtle or obvious it is regardless a sign of
considerable calculation and effort. In Birth of a nation Griffith places
symbols everywhere, in doing this he merges literary devices of written works
with his own visual works. For instance, the parched corn symbol in the scene
where the southern army is eating symbolizes their desperation in the face of
defeat. This imagery proves that Griffith wasn't just presenting actors and a
plot, he intended to dig far deeper than that, into the realm of a clever
storyteller.

Another example of his unique style is the use of foreshadowing, another
literary device now commonly employed in film. The most prominent example of
this is the scene where two gentlemen are talking, and as the camera pans down,
we see a puppy struggling with a kitten. This is another strong example of
symbolism; however, even more importantly it foreshadows the coming war. It is
expertly placed to add to the building tension between sides which the ...

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