Tools of Characterization

Characterization in The Birth of a Nation

Clothing

"Who are you wearing?"

It may seem like a pretty vapid question, best reserved for award shows, but we can pretty clearly trace the rise and fall of the Cameron family through their choice of clothing.

Initially, they're decked out in resplendent garbs befitting their status as the cream of the Southern aristocracy. The ladies wear beautiful dresses, the men wear wonderful suits, and there's even a mustache or two to go around. All in all, this makes the Cameron family feel grand and important.

Things change, though, when the war begins. With the Confederate war effort going badly, the Camerons donate most of their wealth to the cause, which forces them to wear ratty old clothes—whatever they can find. Despite this, we see young Flora adorn her shabby dress with pieces of raw cotton molded to look like fancy embroidered patterns, which shows that the family still retains a desire to look moneyed despite their current circumstances.

Oh—and yeah: those white sheets? The ones that make the wearer look like a bro who couldn't decide what his Halloween costume was and went as an ironic ghost? Those show that a character is a hero in the eyes of this movie...and a massive racist scumbag in the real world.

Names

Although "Stoneman" sounds like the name of an 80's action hero, this surname actually belongs to the most pugnacious politician in all of The Birth of a Nation.

And it's pretty fitting, isn't it? Austin Stoneman is a hard-nosed guy who refuses to budge in his beliefs or make compromises with the people on the other side of the issues. He's unwilling, really, to budge on anything. It's almost as if his beliefs are set in stone. Fancy that.

Contrast that with the Camerons' last name. Now, there isn't any straight-forward symbolism here, but "Cameron" is a Scottish surname. We can see this reflected in their relationship with the KKK, as Griffith's depiction of the Klan is more based on traditional Scottish tribal society than it is on the historical reality of the hate group. It might not be as simple as "Stoneman," but it still provides some interesting insight.

Actions

We don't agree—even remotely—with the actions taken by the characters of The Birth of a Nation, but D.W. Griffith sure wants us to.

For example, Phil Stoneman is supposed to be a "good guy" because he helps the Camerons evade capture at the end of the movie. As a former soldier in the Union army, he'd once fought against the South. After seeing the reality of the situation, though, he takes their side. This is most embodied by his decision to shoot a soldier who is trying to arrest Dr. Cameron.

We see a similar thing happening with the Camerons' Black servants/former slaves. In keeping with its theme of being The Most Racist Film Of All Time, The Birth of a Nation is harshly critical of black people unless they're acting in the interests of white people. So the Camerons' two servants are depicted as being "loyal" because they assault the soldiers who are trying to capture Dr. Cameron. Pardon us while we retch.