American History X analysis

A detailed Summary of American History X analysis

To analyze the film American History X, one would need to dig deep, and sift through the roots of the film to locate the seeds of hate planted in Derek as a youth. To bring forth the factors that shaped Derek's personality would reveal who is brother is to become, and why. Yet in the end, it will strike the viewer as being ironic that through all of Derek's hatred, he changes his views completely. Unfortunately, his influence on his brother to become the same person makes it to late for Danny, as he becomes the target of a tragedy provoked by his mislead point of view.

Let's start at the beginning, at the flashbacks of Derek's youth, where the first signs of his innocence being influenced negatively show. It becomes apparent to the viewer where the first signs of his hatred come from. During the flashback where Derek and the rest of the family are sitting having dinner, the subject of Derek's school studies come up. He begins to speak of a book his teacher has assigned to read, dealing with African American subjects. Right off the bat, his father begins to shoot down the idea that Derek at first supports about interracial relations. Now it becomes evident where the first spark of Derek's flame

It's at this time that Danny also is looking for someone to look up to, to direct him in his life's decisions. Naturally, he turns to his older brother, watching his ways and slowly becoming the same person, with the same intentions. When he goes back to the night his brother murdered the black men stealing his truck, he remembers the fear that flowed into him watching his brother murder those men. Yet at the same time, he realizes the power his brother has, and strives to have that power. When Derek is sentenced to prison, Danny feels as though it is his job to protect the family name, and follow in his older brothers footsteps. He isn't the little brother anymore, the one always standing behind his big brother, and depending on him for protection. He realizes he now has to stand up for himself, and defend his ideas. In the scene where the boy is bullied by the black kids in the bathroom, it becomes evident of Danny's pride as he steps up to the black kids, and the dislike for them is seen in his eyes. From this point, the viewer realizes that Danny can feel that power that Derek once lived for, and he turns to that same hatred to drive him.

Derek changing his ideology and values was a big move in the right direction, however now Danny was left with the shadow of Derek's past lingering. When Derek sits Danny down after the fight with Cameron, and explains what he experienced in prison, Danny is left with a decision of his own to make. Now he is in the same spot his brother was in, and has to decide if he wants to lead the life his brother once lived. Choosing that would have most likely meant Danny ending up in prison, or worse, dead. But he realized his brother was the one he always looked up to, and trusted for advice. Dan

Some common words found in the essay are:
It's Danny, African American, Danny Derek, American History, killed black, History X-Analysis, black race, american history, seeds hate planted, black kids, hate planted, power derek, prison danny, move themselves, seeds hate, danny left,

Approximate Word count = 1177
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English