Film Analysis of the Silent Movie Within Our Gates. Oscar Micheaux’s Portrayal of African Americans to counter Stereotypes of the Black Race

Table of Contents

• 1. INTRODUCTION
• 2. OSCAR MICHEAUX THE FILMMAKER
• 3. THE IMAGE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS: STEREOTYPES
• 4. THE NOVEL IMAGE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS: "THE NEW NEGRO"
• 5. PORTRAYAL OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN WITHIN OUR GATES
  • 5.1 COUNTERNARRATIVE
  • 5.2 COUNTERTYPES
• 6. NARRATIVE STYLE AND FILM TECHNOLOGIES
  • 6.1 STYLE ELEMENTS OF STORY TELLING
  • 6.2 FILMING TECHNOLOGIES
• 7. ANALYSIS OF SELECTED SCENES
  • 7.1 SYLVIA LANDRY IN THE HOUSE OF HER COUSIN ALMA
  • 7.2 A POOR SHARECROPPER APPLIES FOR PINEY WOODS SCHOOL
  • 7.3 DR. VIVIAN AFTER SYLVIA HAS BEEN ROBBED BY A BURGLAR
  • 7.4 LYNCHING OF SYLVIA'S PARENTS AND ATTEMPTED RAPE OF SYLVIA

Objectives and Key Themes

This thesis analyzes how Oscar Micheaux employed cinematic techniques in his film, Within Our Gates, to counter the stereotypical portrayal of African Americans prevalent in films like The Birth of a Nation. The research question guiding this analysis is: How and with which filmic devices does Micheaux create a counternarrative and countertypes to Griffith's racist representation? The thesis examines Micheaux's methods within the context of the Harlem Renaissance and the "New Negro" ideal.

• The stereotypical portrayal of African Americans in early cinema
• The emergence of the "New Negro" ideal and its representation in art and culture
• Micheaux's counternarrative and countertypes in Within Our Gates
• The cinematic techniques used by Micheaux to convey his message
• The historical and social context of Within Our Gates and the Harlem Renaissance

Chapter Summaries

1. INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces Oscar Micheaux's Within Our Gates, highlighting its significance as a "race picture" and its controversial nature at the time of its release. It situates the film within the context of the Harlem Renaissance and the struggle for a positive representation of African Americans in the face of racist stereotypes perpetuated by films like The Birth of a Nation. The chapter establishes the thesis's objective: to analyze how Micheaux uses cinematic techniques to challenge these racist stereotypes and construct a counternarrative. The research question is clearly defined, focusing on the filmic devices used to create both a counter-narrative and counter-types.

2. OSCAR MICHEAUX THE FILMMAKER: This chapter provides biographical context for understanding Micheaux's work. It outlines his career trajectory from novelist to filmmaker, emphasizing his personal experiences and views on race as major influences on his artistic output. Micheaux’s early life, education in a segregated school, and experiences working in various low-paying jobs are discussed, highlighting the social and economic conditions that shaped his perspective. The chapter briefly touches upon his prolific output as a novelist and filmmaker, emphasizing the challenges he faced as a Black artist creating films during a highly racially charged period.

Keywords

Oscar Micheaux, Within Our Gates, race movies, Harlem Renaissance, "New Negro," stereotypes, counternarrative, countertypes, cinematic techniques, film analysis, racial prejudice, African American representation.

Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Oscar Micheaux's *Within Our Gates*

What is the main focus of this academic analysis?

This analysis examines how Oscar Micheaux utilized cinematic techniques in his film, Within Our Gates, to challenge the stereotypical portrayal of African Americans prevalent in early cinema, particularly in films like The Birth of a Nation. It investigates how Micheaux constructed a counternarrative and presented countertypes to combat racist representations.

What is the central research question?

The core research question is: How and with which filmic devices does Micheaux create a counternarrative and countertypes to Griffith's racist representation in The Birth of a Nation?

What are the key themes explored in the analysis?

The analysis explores several key themes, including: the stereotypical portrayal of African Americans in early cinema; the emergence and representation of the "New Negro" ideal; Micheaux's counternarrative and countertypes in Within Our Gates; the cinematic techniques employed by Micheaux; and the historical and social context of the film and the Harlem Renaissance.

What aspects of Within Our Gates are analyzed?

The analysis includes a detailed examination of the film's narrative style, film technologies, and selected scenes. Specific scenes analyzed include Sylvia Landry in her cousin Alma's house, a sharecropper applying for Piney Woods School, Dr. Vivian after Sylvia's robbery, and the lynching of Sylvia's parents and the attempted rape of Sylvia.

What is the structure of the analysis?

The analysis is structured into chapters covering an introduction, a biography of Oscar Micheaux, an examination of stereotypical and counter-stereotypical portrayals of African Americans, a detailed analysis of Within Our Gates' narrative style and cinematic techniques, and finally, a close analysis of selected key scenes from the film.

What is the historical context of the analysis?

The analysis situates Within Our Gates within the context of the Harlem Renaissance and the broader struggle for positive representation of African Americans in the face of persistent racist stereotypes. It considers the social and political climate of the time and the impact of films like The Birth of a Nation on the portrayal of African Americans.

What are the keywords associated with this analysis?

Keywords include: Oscar Micheaux, Within Our Gates, race movies, Harlem Renaissance, "New Negro," stereotypes, counternarrative, countertypes, cinematic techniques, film analysis, racial prejudice, and African American representation.

What kind of information is provided in the chapter summaries?

The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of the content and purpose of each chapter, outlining the key arguments and findings presented in each section of the analysis.

What is the overall objective of this work?

The overall objective is to provide a comprehensive analysis of how Oscar Micheaux used film as a medium to counter racist stereotypes and offer a more nuanced and truthful portrayal of African American life during the Harlem Renaissance.