American History X Symbol Essay Plan

AMERICAN HISTORY X SYMBOL ESSAY PLAN SYMBOL

CHARACTER

The ocean is seen in wide shot

A character will undertake an emotional journey. In this case on where he will seek redemption Introduces the character of Derek and informs the audience of his neo-nazi ideology as these are common symbols of the neo-nazi movement.

Interior location of bedroom. We are confronted with a large flag of the 3rd Reich. A swastika prominently displayed on a young mans chest. Shaved head. Boots. Derek grabs a gun and aggressively attacks black youths who are ‘car jacking’ his car, murdering them. This unnecessary force is symbolic of his hate. When arrested he stands like Jesus on the cross.

Derek’s friendship with the black inmate

Signifies how deeply entrenched in the neo nazi movement Derek is. How powerful his hate for minority races is. Symbolic of Derek’s belief that his actions have made him a martyr for his cause- hate and elimination of the black race. This raises the question in the narrative “how did Derek become so involved in such a belief system, how does one become so consumed with racial hatred in modern day society. Signifies a change in his ideological perspective