Degradation in Darien
By Hilary Chadwick, with comment by Patrick O'Brien
[1] Despite the presence of black soldiers in the 54th regiment of the Union Army during the Civil War, there are many scenes in Glory that illustrate the deeply rooted racism entrenched in nineteenth century society. The scene depicting the 54th’s demolition of the town of Darien illustrates the racist white man’s depiction of black soldiers as uncivilized, barbaric men. Unlike other scenes in Glory that elevate the black soldiers by exposing the absurdity of the white man’s racist stereotypes, this scene reinforces those stereotypes and degrades the black man by portraying him as inhuman. It illustrates both the ideal image of the black man through the eyes of Colonel Shaw and also the caricature of the barbaric black man by Colonel James M. Montgomery. Montgomery, a fellow military officer from Kentucky, abuses his authorized power and treats his soldiers like animals. He has no faith that his black soldiers have the potential to be dignified and obedient like the white troops. Yet, a stark contrast is provided in Colonel Shaw’s belief in the success of his troops. He treats his battalion with loyalty and respect, and they reciprocate by exemplifying an obedient and professional demeanor. The Darien scene valorizes Shaw’s determination to treat his battalion equally, whereas the director criticizes Colonel Montgomery’s racist behavior and detachment from his own battalion.
[2] The clanging pots and pans and the rhythmic step of the marching battalions introduce the troops of Colonel Montgomery and Colonel Shaw. At this point, both battalions are indistinguishable aside from their slight difference in uniform. Colonel Montgomery’s battalion is wearing red pants, while Shaw’s men are donned in traditional navy blue. Colonel Montgomery and Shaw enter riding on horse-back above their troops. Colonel Montgomery begins dialog by complimenting Colonel Shaw on his authority over his troop. Montgomery also distinguishes a difference in maturity of both troops by referring to Colonel Shaw’s regiment as “men†while he refers to his own troops as “boys.†His choice of words introduces the institutionalized feeling of white authority over his black troops.
[3] As the troops exit the brush, they reach the town of Darien. The camera captures the town square with a wide angle that pans the small courtyard surrounded by a few businesses and a hotel that marks the center of town. After the scene is set, Colonel Shaw is met by his troops who march quickly in three straight lines to deliver a report confirming that the town is free from suspicious persons. Shaw then respectfully acknowledges their report with a formal salutation. This organized and efficient communication between Shaw and his troops depicts Shaw’s battalion as organized, efficient, and obedient. A direct contrast follows.
[4] Colonel Montgomery voluntarily gives an enthusiastic order to his battalion to raid the town. To deliver this order, he stands up in his saddle, removes his hat in excitement and shouts at them, presenting a much less formal style of communication uncharacteristic of army officials. Next, the captain is confronted by one of his black soldiers requesting to release fire on the town. The soldier, unlike members of Shaw’s regiment, runs haphazardly to Montgomery and speaks quickly in an indecipherable dialect. Montgomery responds carelessly with “Why not? Go ahead.†This portrays the black soldier as naïve to the effects of his gun and also, because he speaks in a thick dialect that is difficult to understand, unintelligent. This incident also illustrates Montgomery’s hypocritical and thoughtless commanding. He judges his troops for acting uncivilized like “monkey children,†yet he forgets they are obeying his command to destroy the town. He attributes their behavior to a fundamental lack of obedience as an excuse for his lack of leadership ability, and he uses them as a scapegoat to purify the town of secessionists.
[5] Next, the camera portrays Montgomery’s soldiers as uncivilized criminals. The screen is bombarded with movement and shuffling of personal belongings that have been stolen by Montgomery’s rowdy battalion. This mis-matched collection of lamps, candle sticks, and instruments is juxtaposed with the uniform soldiers. This contrast creates a feeling of chaos and disorganization. The soldiers are proud of their collection of loot that they have stolen from the white citizens of Darien and are excitedly showing it off to their peers. This celebration of robbery emphasizes the immorality of the act and depicts them as pirates, not soldiers. The camera also highlights images that reinforce the racist white opinion that the black soldiers are like animals. One black soldier is clutching the feet of a chicken that is violently flapping its wings and clucking as if it were on a farm; this image connects the undomesticated animal with the “undomesticated soldier†who can’t control the animal and is behaving like it. This image illustrates the racist conception that blacks were like “wild animals†meant to work in manual labor. Finally, it is important to note that this raid was completely unnecessary, yet it was encouraged by their leader Colonel Montgomery. However, Montgomery blames these black soldiers as being uncontrollable to excuse his lack of leadership.
[6] Next, the camera illustrates yet another example of the portrayal of the barbarian black man. The noise of a slamming door calls the attention of the camera. A black soldier in Montgomery’s army is wrestling with a woman to obtain silverware he was attempting to steal from her home. Frustrated that he cannot seize it, he throws her to the ground and she lies unconscious. The action continues with the entrance of a white woman who runs out of the house and is slapped by the man. Montgomery tries to gain control over the situation by shooting the man in the shoulder. The soldier falls to the ground. This illustrates the abuse of power and brute qualities of the black man who is deliberately abusing “vulnerable and weak†women. The soldier is portrayed as if he has no face, no opinion, no voice, and simply acted upon instinct in search of riches, objects, and power. He does not face the camera, nor speak, but just wrestles like an uncontrollable child or dog. He is also treated as an animal would be, shot down by a land owner. Montgomery uses violence as opposed to communicating to solve this problem. Later, the white woman clutches her unconscious friend and shrieks desperately in rage, “N*** soldiers? N*** soldiers!†She exemplifies a white Southern woman’s disbelief that the enemy would be so extreme as to enlist “brute animals†to terrorize her. It is important to note that the black soldier was commanded by his white leader to raid the town; he did not act upon his own will. Montgomery does not take responsibility for his actions yet, however, blames the white woman for her hysteria for causing the commotion.
[7] A final shot showcases Colonel Shaw’s loyalty to his troops. Colonel Montgomery orders Colonel Shaw to order his troops to burn the town to further demolish a defenseless neighborhood undeserving of this treatment. Yet, Colonel Shaw refuses to direct these orders and defies the authority of Colonel Montgomery. Shaw is then challenged as Montgomery threatens to turn him over to a court martial and seize command of his troops if he does not follow these orders. Shaw pauses, and music begins as he deliberates the consequences of this choice. Ultimately, he chooses to give this immoral order to avoid losing his troops and the success he has created thus far.
[8] Finally, Shaw’s troops illustrate their efficiency, organization, and professional demeanor. The orders are given systematically by Colonel Shaw to the battalion through Sergeant Major John Rawlins. The soldiers receive this order without pleasure or excitement and simply obey the orders efficiently. Shaw’s troops exit Darien’s town square in two straight lines, whereas Montgomery’s troops are still running in circles with their newly acquired loot. Shaw’s face is illuminated by the raging fire behind him, while he looks sternly over the burning town, yet understanding his role and responsibility in the scene. On the other hand, Montgomery feels distance from his troops and believes they act independently from him.
[9] This scene depicts the negative image of black men in the eyes of the white woman and the racist army commander. It illustrates this behavior with the “animalistic and uncivilized†behavior of the battalions and the hysteria that ensues from a brief confrontation with a white woman. Colonel Shaw serves as the contrast to these deeply rooted racist white views, and, instead, he treats his troops with dignity and loyalty. Although Shaw is not always acting most radically to assure the equality of his troops, his loyalty and steadfast belief of just war is illustrated through his behavior at Darien. (see comment by Patrick O'Brien)
Comments
On one level the scene does successfully portray the view that most “whites†(north and south) had of “blacks†and their ability to become soldiers. On another level, it continues the paternalistic discourse of other films such as Mississippi Burning and Amistad. As stated above, the scene creates a stark contrast between the savageries of Montgomery’s soldiers versus the civilized restraint shown by the Fifty-fourth Regiment led by Colonel Shaw. The faceless looting soldiers seem thrilled to be acting like wild animals, while Shaw’s soldiers are, as stated above, disappointed with their order to burn the town. What explains the difference in behavior? The key lies in the not so subtle reason the film provides. By demonstrating that the greatest (and evidently only) influence on the behavior of the “black†soldiers was that of their “white†leader, the scene places “whiteness†in charge of the fate of their “black†underlings. One should then ask if that scene not only demonstrates the racialist beliefs of 1863 but also how the liberal “white†person of 1989 thought.
