Introduction
Steven Spielberg came up with a film meant to illustrate the role played by Lincoln where the abolition of slavery is concerned. On the other hand, Eric Foner saw the need to put this amazing story in writing. Both are award-winning pieces. Lincoln, the film, received much complimentary feedback and got nominated on many forums. The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery also received acclamation from the various mediums existent. Given that both the book and the film have received great responses, the question would be which between the two is the most effective. In a highly modernised era, anything in the form of a movie has been shown to achieve more results than reading materials. This generation has slowly turned away from being a reading people to those who would rather watch something. Technological advancements have also made it even harder to come across individuals who prefer reading to watching (Foner 20).
Written History vs. Cinematic History
Cinematic history has a way of displaying emotion. Through watching, one can experience, to some extent, what the actual people were going through. It helps a lot in the visualizing process as one can relate with the actors and actresses. This has been proven to be a very effective method in bringing forth historic events. Cinematic history leaves one with vivid pictures (and memories) regarding the events showed in the film. As such, it is certainly an effective way of making individuals aware of past events (Blackmon 28).
On the other hand, written history requires that the one reading be “sober” enough to get the concept. It requires that one offers a high level of concentration. Otherwise, one may miss out on the major events in the book (Foner 32). This has especially been cemented by the fact that the current generation loathes the art of reading. As a matter of fact, individuals who prefer reading to watching keep on decreasing over the years. This is true despite the fact that there is a lot that one can learn from books- in fact, what one can learn from books is unlimited.
Comparatively speaking, Steven Spielberg's can be said to have been more effective in illustrating the civil war period and also the events that saw the abolition of slavery in America; and the role Lincoln played. In a different generation, though, Eric Foner's book would have carried the day. The book provides readers with an in-depth analysis on that very defining moment in America’s history.
Relative Intellectual and Emotional Power
More intellectual power will definitely result from reading Eric’s book, as opposed to watching Steven’s film. This especially holds since when most people watch films, they hope to get entertained; mostly, at the expense of learning. Anyone who sets aside time to read a book is someone in need to get intellectual edification; exactly what is offered in the Abraham Lincoln book (Foner 57).
Conversely, the film is more emotional as compared to the book. Films, particularly when acted by great actors and actresses, are bound to bring out the events just as they were (or at least close to that). This creates a mental image within those who are watching enabling them relate almost personally with the crew. The emotional connection takes them back to the years when that particular event took place. In this case, the scene of a suffering slave is bound to elicit a very strong emotion against slavery. In an extension, this will make the viewer understand Lincoln’s point of view.
Effect of the Different Time Frames
Spielberg and his team started filming the movie on October 17, 2011. By December the same year, they had a finished film. It made its debut at the New York film festival in October 8, 2012. The film was released in time and era where individuals the world over are glued to their television sets. This principally makes films highly watched and also discussed. As such, there would not have been a better time to release the film.
On the contrary, The Fiery Trial, was published in 2010 with the aim of letting the “Lincoln fire” keep burning. Despite the fact that it is a great book, the current generation has little or no appreciation for it. This comes in a time where most people read just as a matter of necessity. In fact, those who really need the information therein (say for a history class or so) prefer to read a summary or synopsis from those who have already read. It has to be said that despite the great content, individuals in this generation just cannot get themselves to read (Foner 37).
The Role of other Historical Actors
There was no way Abraham Lincoln, no matter how great he was, would have won the fight against slavery on his own. There were undeniably other great people within his shadows. This is an aspect both the film and the book have overlooked. They both reflect Lincoln as a man who was in total control; as the one who made all the sacrifices. They fail to tell their audiences much on the role by other parties. It would have been pretty interesting learning about others within the struggle.
Both Spielberg and Foner failed in revealing the characters of those who opposed the war and also slavery war. Instead, they both dwelt on the perpetrators of the inhuman acts. It becomes a daunting challenge having to understand what made those who worked hand-in-hand with Lincoln tick (Blackmon 18).They have both, however, managed to tell the tale of the slaves just as we hoped it happened. Using clear illustrations, the film creates vivid picture within the minds of the audiences. Additionally, the resultant free slaves have been well described; making it easy for one to relate to their plights and eventual triumph. Whether one decides to access the events of those trying American moments from Foner’s book or Spielberg’s film, they are bound to learn the same; slavery redefined human relations and that the final triumph was one of the most redefining moments in American history (Blackmon 18).
Politics of Antislavery
The role of Republicans and Democrats has been depicted in both the film and the book. Their activities have been clearly illustrated in a broad manner. It is from this, that one can then identify those who had a major role to play in the struggle (Blackmon 16).
Other Players
Though both Spielberg and Foner have failed in providing many details on other players, they existed (this is, however, justified given both the film and the book were specifically meant to reveal Lincoln’s role). Frederick Douglass was a very instrumental player in the fight against slavery and worked together with Lincoln. Others were: John Quincy Adams, Richard Allen, Henry Bibb and James Berney to mention but a few. Each of them played a unique role that led to the eventual victory (Zamba 14).
Works Cited
Blackmon, Douglas A. Slavery by Another Name: The Re-enslavement of Black People in America from the Civil War to World War II. New York: Doubleday, 2008. Print.
Foner, Eric. The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American slavery. New York: W. W. Norton & Co., 2010. Print.
Lincoln. Dir. Steven Spielberg. Perf. Daniel Day Lewis, Sally Field, David Stratham, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, and Tommy Lee Jones. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, 2013. Blu-Ray.
Zamba Zembola. Important Figures in the Antislavery Cause. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. <http://www.class.uh.edu/gl/abol3.htm>.
