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The Birth of a Nation Questions

Bring on the tough stuff. There’s not just one right answer.

  1. What would you change about the film to make it more historically accurate? What effect would these changes have on the overall narrative?
  2. What film techniques were pioneered by the film? What are some modern films that use these same techniques?
  3. In what ways are the two parts of the film similar? In what ways are they different?
  4. How, and why, does the film portray Lincoln in a positive light?
  5. How might your perspective on the film differ from someone who saw it in 1915?
  6. Is Griffith correct in saying that opponents of the film are "intolerant?" Why or why not?
  7. What does the box office success of the film say about American society?
  8. How does Griffith's use of color tinting affect your perception of specific scenes in the film? What examples from the film support your answer?