Conceptual Analysis of Smith Goes to Washington
Introduction
This movie based on a situation in 1939 when a governor of some state had to elect a senator because the previous had died. Smith becomes the senator of choice because of his weakness. The governor knew he would take advantage of Smith’s naivety to endorse his projects by passing the bills. However, Smith developed his own bill that demanded a campsite to construct for the young rangers. Unfortunately, the site was set aside for a dam construction that was to generate more income. This was a scheme by Taylor for the Public Works. The project became controversial and Taylor falsely accused Smith of owning the land. The media refused to report on Smith’s innocence, and Boy Ranger decides to report on the matter that flares fights from Taylor’s supporters. Smith is overwhelmed to a point of fainting when letters come in from his hometown asking for his resignation. Paine who is the bearer of these letters tries to kill himself because of guilt.
1. Argument against Source, Listening Pg 105
The concept of this movie was during the great depression era. The people were vulnerable because of the economic situations, and this meant that the movie was to match the problems in the system then. This was a temporary image at the time, and it should not have applied because the movie viewers would hold it permanently in the minds. It had manipulated images that portrayed met Copra’s imaginations, and fitted in the movie. He may be a genius because he created a conscious in people’s minds. However, the message remains biased because it was not a true picture of the government by then. The source, Copra showed a system of corrupted officers while the truth was Smith as an innocent man who wanted to change the nation. Smith does not represent the common person, as many people argue because the governor’s children suggested his name for senator. He was a representative of the young rangers, and they knew he would favor their group. He had no qualifications of a leader, and so he did not represent the common leaders.
2. Appeal to people, Listening Pg 106
This movie was appealing to people because it represented an image that was familiar to the society. During this period of depression, the community was suffering and it needed such a movie to confirm what was happening in the government. The message was appealing and so was the language. Copra used a language that was simple and easy to understand. The consumptions of the movie seemed true to the viewers, and that made it appealing. The movie’s idea was to fight for freedom that was required during that period. When it says, “I am free to think and speak”, the viewer challenges as well as overwhelms by the statement. Smith Goes to Washington is important both in the way it represents the era of making, and the past life. The characters in the movie are also appealing because he used popular actors who would catch the public’s eyes. The cast was quite appealing to the viewers making the movie more popular. It is an educative movie because the current generation might miss the country’s history that analyzes in Smith goes to Washington. Copra used veteran actors like Marshall and Wanamaker whom the community loved.
3. Hasty Generalization, Listening Pg 108
Copra’s movie Smith Goes to Washington hastily generalized a situation that was minute because it happened once in a long time. The governor may have been corrupt but he did not represent the hundreds of governor’s in the country. A few officers based this exceptional case on greed and corruption. The officers knew they were electing a weak governor, and they wanted to manipulate him in their favor. They knew senator did not have a game plan, and the officers would take advantage of him. That is why they listed their bills that, unfortunately Smith refused to consider. Copra could have used a more popular example showing corruption, and the need to fight for freedom. The movie summarizes in haste, without showing many details that led to Paine’s resignation. This is a weakness on the producer’s part, and leaves the movie viewers unsatisfied. Hasty generalization has a negative impact, and may lower the number of sales for the particular movie.
4. Ethos, Public Communication and Public Influence Pg. 389
The characters in Smith Goes to Washington connected well with the audience. This shows in their communication skills that had simple language that everyone could comprehend. Their expressions in both facial and body language sent the message across. It seems that these actors had enough training for their respective scenes because the audience easily related with whatever was happening. The eloquence and rhetorical phrases had a smooth sequence that made the ethos excellent. The movie shows Foley as an old school who is old with silvered hair and bowtie. This represents an image of an old senate well. Having used veteran actors, this made the connection between them and the audience easier and pleasing. The dress code in the movie represented the leaders at that time that the audience easily related. These actors in Smith Goes to Washington were conclusively credible, and had a positive impact on the audience.
5. Pathos, Public Communication and Public Influence Pg. 389
Smith Goes to Washington applies many emotions that relate well to the audience. The actors are authoritative when needed presenting power of office. When Taylor and Paine accuse Smith of owning the dam-site among other corruptions, he is quick to defend his innocence. However, the media does not favor him together with his people. This is when emotions run high to a point of collapsing. Smith carries these emotions well; almost making the audience shed their tears. Another section where emotions are high is when Pain starts regretting his actions. He comes forward, and presents the truth declaring of how he brought the letters from the counties asking Smith to step down. The sad emotions on his face connected well with the audience. This was an emotional movie especially because of its timings. The audience needed it to relate with the great depression, and the movie activated the fight for freedom.
6. Persuasive Speaking and Social Judgment Theory, Public Communication and Public Influence Pg. 391
The movie’s timing, and its message may have impacted social judgment in this movie. The viewers may have been quick to overrate the movie because they were experience a harsh economy due to the great depression. This means that they related well with the movie because they were in dire need for change. The depression may have been due to bad leadership similar to Smith’s, hence the audience judged the movie positively. The variables that affected the audience included the fact that everyone suffered this depression. Whatever the movie represented was close to the viewers. Copra must have considered the social judgment by the viewers, and that is why he used Smith’s case in the movie so that it could pull an audience. He must have conducted an audience analysis before writing the movie in order to identify areas of weakness. That is why the movie was a success, and different institutions in learning progress have used it.
