Examples Of Manipulation In American History X

The film American History X by Tony Kaye looks at the idea of manipulation, one of the roots of racism. Kaye uses dialogue, close-ups, a mise-en-scene, a wide-shot and a mid-shot to show how easy it is to be manipulated, despite your intelligence. Kaye’s purpose is to show that if you are manipulated under the right circumstances and the manipulation is coming from the people you love, then racism and hate can be adapted.
During a flashback of the Vinyard family we learn that it was Derek’s father that first planted the seed of racism within Derek by manipulating him. We are presented with a dinner scene where we learn the influence Derek’s father has on Derek. Kaye uses a mise-en-scene by placing Derek’s father at the head of the table and
Before he and his gang raid a grocery store that is owned by immigrants he makes a compelling and convincing speech to motivate his followers. He says “Americans should look after Americans before looking after immigrants”. As he is speaking the camera is fixed on him at a mid-shot and would occasionally flick to close-ups of other members of the gang, including Danny. The camera would catch their stimulated faces, almost spellbound by Derek’s speech. The purpose of this is to show how easily young men and boys can be captivated by racist ideas. Kaye makes the speech so persuasive that even the audience is manipulated by Derek’s hate-filled views. Derek finishes his speech with “be part of something”. Derek knows exactly what they want to hear. He knows this because it is exactly how Cameron manipulated him. Derek was fuming and irritated after his father’s death and Cameron offered him ways to release his anger. Likewise these angry and frustrated young men want to blame others for their misfortunes. Kaye understands how some of these misguided and not as fortunate young men would find it so easy to put the responsibility on someone else’s shoulders. Much of the angry and frustrated youth think that by blaming other people and hating others for their misfortunes will make them feel