Analysis of Great Debaters by faith oniyide

ANALYSIS OF ‘THE GREAT DEBATERS’ by faith oniyide
The Great Debaters: directed by and starring Denzel Washington depicts a college’s heralded debating team of the early 1920s and the role played by the black poet and social activist Melvin B. Tolson, who served as the faculty adviser to the debating team. The story is centered this reputable social activist named Dr. Melvin Tolson who goes ahead in Wiley College to inspire three young debaters- Henry Lowe, Samantha Booke and James Farmer jnr, into becoming black national heroes with one weapon in their advantage- solid education. These three great debaters had their personal issue which is portrayed in the film and in one way or the other; they were able to defend the Negro’s based on the knowledge acquired and also personal experiences. The adviser was able to put them on track by telling his personal experiences and why he feels that the ‘Black’ should be fought for. He capitalizes on how the so called upper hand- slave masters kept the blacks physically strong and psychologically depending on their masters by taking the mind which is not suppose to be so. His main aim that he portrayed in consideration with the main purpose of the debate was to help to find, take back, and keep the mind of the blacks which is very crucial.
The Great Debaters to a large extent; I have been able to infer that it has graciously express a lifetime and impactful message of what it feels like to be free and not think of what might happen next…



The analysis of this film will be based under the following criteria:
 Themes
 Narratives: 1) former expectation 2) cheated expectation 3) surprise 4) suspense 5) feelings
 cause and effect
 Similarity and repetition
 Differences and variations
 Depth of story treatment
 Functions of elements
 Mis en scence
 Cinematography
 Symbolism
THEMES:
 EMANCIPATION/LIBERATION: This means the act or process of setting somebody free or of freeing somebody from restrictions. It can also mean the condition or fact of being free of freedom from restriction. This is a major theme of the movie. The Negro emancipation from the chains of segregation by the white was majorly and constantly portrayed in the course of the film. The film uncluttered with a narrative voice of James Farmer; a renowned black scholar moving for the racial emancipation of blacks through education. He feels education is the way out of ignorance into the glorious light. It was semphasied that education was the key tocontest the unfair and inhumane treatment of Blacks. Education would equip blacks especially to find, take back and keep their minds
The whole film centers on liberation from Negro emancipation continually canvassed by Dr. Melvin Tolson’s debaters to the emancipation of workers including both blacks and whites. From the debate in Oklahoma University to the last debate in Harvard University, the central focus was always on the emancipation of the black people.
Thus, the movie was an urgent or inspiring call for the necessity to bridge the gap between the whites and the blacks and the enjoyment of the fundamental human rights of the former by the latter.

RACISM/DISCRIMINATION: This literarily means the belief that people of different races have different qualities and abilities, and that some races are inherently superior or inferior.

According to the film, there were majorly two races portrayed- the negroids and the caucasoids. The caucasoids or whites are referred as the superior race or upper hand while the negroids are the inferior race. This ideology has only resulted into nothing but strife, trouble, dissension, and friction. The extent of racism in the 1930’s was projected in the first debate in a white school. There was a clear distinction between where the blacks stayed and where the whites stayed. It was also noticeable during the course of Samantha’s speech delivery that many white persons left. The film also in line with the various debates, draws attention to the issue of separate learning centers for whites and blacks, slavery and the lynching of blacks.



INJUSTICE/PREJUDICE: This means unfair or unjust treatment of someone or people. The theme of prejudice is seen from discrimination of the blacks by the whites. The blacks are often referred to as failure. Injustice is shown during the disruption and assault of the Southern Tenants Union by the Sherriff and his officers to discourage any form of government opposition. Also, Melvin Tolson’s arrest for alleged involvement in the union is also indefensible under the human right law. Most importantly, was the execution of the black man in Texas for reasons unknown and the attempted assault of Tolson and his debaters by the white mob.
DETERMINATION/ WILL POWER: This means a process of deciding on or establishing a course of action. To have these laws against black people in America abolished, something had to be done and the only way for Henry Lowe, Samantha Booke and James Farmer jnr was to contribute their own part in this process of defending the blacks which was through organizing debates which would serve as a platform for exposure or enlightening. There was a determination to make a change.
LOVE: This means to feel tender affection for somebody such as close relative or friend or for something such as place, an ideal or an animal.

The theme of love portrayed between Henry Lowe and Samantha. Also, love is expressed by Prof. Tolson and his debaters.

HOPE: When the debaters lost to Howard University they were still hopeful that a showdown with Harvard University would emerge. They believed in themselves to still make a difference despite the shameful way they lost at first.
NARRATIVES: The film made use of the debate as a form of unfolding the major themes in the movie.
EXPECTATIONS:
a. That the Debaters will end up victorious
b. Dr. Tolson would be arrested and later released from any charge of sedition.
c. Samantha Booke and Henry Lowe would fall in love with each other.
d. The ever obedient James Farmer jnr. would stand against his father.
At this junction, it is subservient to note some cheated expectations like:
a. That Hamilton Burgees would leave the team of debaters due to his father’s concerns about Tolson’s extra academic activities.
b. Samantha’s departure from the debate against Howard University leading to her replacement by the unprepared Farmer which led to their loss.
c. Surprised that Henry Lowe would debate against Harvard instead he stepped down for Farmer.
EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS: The film established feelings of love between Samantha and Henry; Tolson and the debaters, pity - the execution of the black man and communalism-the support for Tolson by the black community.
CAUSE AND EFFECT: The major cause and effect is that James Farmer jnr’s witnessing of the unjust assault of the union workers would stir up the need for a revolution or change in him. Another point is the debaters witnessing of the execution of the black man would ginger them into winning all their debates. Also, the arrest of Tolson would only stir up protests by not only the union but the community. Additionally, if Tolson had written the last paper for their debate, maybe they wouldn’t have won against Harvard University.
SIMILARITY AND REPETITION: There was significantly a similarity in the two crane shots used to show first, the journey of the Farmers and then, the journey of the debaters. These two crane shots indicated a clash between the subjects who were blacks and the whites. Also, a gathering of two or more whites, signaled or pin pointed trouble.
DIFFERENCES AND VARIATIONS: The vulnerability of Henry Lowe whenever he is with Samantha in contrast to his rebellious and stubborn nature, displays his weakness. Secondly, the arrest of Prof. Tolson who has always been known by the debaters as relentless and stubborn, also portrays him in a vulnerable situation. The dual personality of Prof. Tolson that is, his academic activities and the union activities. The two characters-Prof. Tolson and Dr. James Farmer. These two hate the conditions of the blacks, the latter is sad but quiet about trying to salvage the situation while the former, is relentless. The difference between the uniqueness of Harvard University and the other black universities. Lastly, the characters of the two debaters- Henry Lowe and James Farmer. The former is obstinate and rebellious while the latter, is quiet and submissive.
DEPTH OF STORY TREATMENT: The film plunged into the psychological image of James Farmer jnr when he was imagining dancing with Samantha Booke.
FUNCTIONS OF ELEMENTS: This is the justification of some elements in the film like:
a. What would have happened if Prof. Tolson had not stopped Henry Lowe from killing the man at the bar?
b. Would the three debaters have won if they had not been stirred up by the lynching of the black man?
c. Would they have won if they used Prof. Tolson’s script for their debate?
d. Would Henry Lowe have won if he had debated?
CINEMATOGRAPHY: The mixture of extreme Long shots and zooming in at the beginning of the film to show Henry Lowe and the band. The use of crane shots during the journey by the Farmers and the debaters. Effective use of panning especially during the Prof. Tolson’s address to the students. Rear projection: From the background to the foreground- this is a reference point during the debate especially the one with Samantha at Oklahoma City University.