American History X

A detailed Summary of American History X

The film "American History X," is about Derek, a young boy whose father is murdered by a black drug dealer. Overcome with rage, he seeks the guidance of a local white supremacist. He quickly gains popularity within the organization and becomes the leader of the group. He then commits murder against two gang members in the neighborhood and is sentenced to three years in prison. While in prison, he changes his views about racism and has to help his little brother change his lifestyle before it's too late. The director, Tony Kaye, illustrates the theme of the film through conflict. The main theme is the consequences of racism, and how they affect not only your life, but also those around you.

Danny, Derek's little brother, wakes up to three black gang members burglarizing his brother's car. He quickly wakes Derek up to inform him of the situation. Derek grabs his gun and swiftly walks downstairs. He quietly opens the front door and shoots the first gang member in the chest. The second gang member goes to run away and Derek shoots him in the back. As the driver rushes off, Derek unloads his clip at the getaway car. Derek looks down and realizes that the second burglar isn't dead. "

At the end of the movie, Derek explains to Danny everything that happened to him in prison. Derek goes to a party that the skinheads are having in his honor. He tells them that he is out of the gang. Things get out of control and he has to take a gun from his ex-friend to defend himself. He also knocks out the leader of their movement. Derek had put himself and his family in jeopardy. The next morning Derek walks his brother to school. The movie then turns its focus towards Danny. The camera follows him into the school. Danny walks into the bathroom, with a paper in hand that he has to turn into Dr. Sweeney. The paper is about his brother's incarceration, and how his life has changed because of it. As Danny turns to leave, a black kid comes out of the stall behind him, pulls out a gun, and opens fire. The movie ends showing Derek holding his dead brother in the bathroom at the school.

Throughout the movie, Kaye uses the interaction between the characters as his way to express the themes. Using Derek, Danny, and all of the other people throughout the film, the viewer can see how the interactions of these characters change the opinions and values of each individual. It also shows how racism is based on hate, and how hate will tear people up from the inside. Through the incarceration of Derek, and the issues he has to face, and the final scene when Danny is murdered, the director does an excellent job of getting the point across of how horrible racism is and just how many people the ideas of one person can affect.

After the incident in the shower, Der

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Approximate Word count = 1067
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History