Amazing+Grace+Theme+notes

Lack of Equality:

Description:

This theme is important because it expresses the discrimination of differences in society during the time period the film is set. The main discriminations shown in the film are Racism (which leads us to the main plot-slavery), Sexism, and the hierarchy of society. It is shown through characters, plot, and society.

Characters: -William Wilberforce is constantly irritated by this lack of equality as it is a key barrier stopping him achieving the abolishment of slavery. -Opposing party (to the abolishment of slavery) treat blacks incredibly unequally, and show no effort in changing this. -Olaudah Equiano shows us what happens when one is treated unequally. His whole life has been changed by this lack of equality, he is almost the symbol for this theme because we see what happens because of the lack of equality through his life.

Plot: -The main influence this theme has on the films plot is that it is hand in hand with slavery. the lack of equality causes this trade to commence until Wilberforce achieves his goal- abolishing it.

Society: -It is noticable that no women were accepted into parliment or high ranking jobs, rather as housewives and mothers only. -Slavery was accepted and completely normal in society. -We see a huge gap between the rich and poor. Neither assoctate themselves with the other, again this was the normal social hierarchy.

Quotations:

"And remeber, God made men equal!" -William Wilberforce

"A trade (slavery) which degrades men to brutes." -Olaudah Equiano

Summary:

Overall the lack of equality shown in the film gives us a greater insight into what society was like during the period Amazing Grace and shows us how different the society now and the society then is (i.e what was accepted then/now.)

Grace and Ben



====The need for loyalty means when someone needs to act loyal for both themselves and other people. In the film; __Amazing Grace,__ this is important because they have to trust each other to be able to achieve their goals, and abolish the Slave Trade.====

====A character that portrays the need for loyalty is William Wilberforce. His fellow politicians need to show him that they can be trusted. With this trust the abolitionists can work as one and fight together to abolish the Slave Trade.====

====Without loyalty Wilberforce can encounter the dangers of being betrayed and left with less people on his side. It is harder to gain a supporter than lose one but for every supporter you lose you have to gain one.====

====The abolitionists were all loyal to each other as they combined their ideas to come up with a plan to win the debate. It was very hard for all of them but it was worth it because the Slave Trade was abolished.==== ====“When people speak of great men, they think of men like Napoleon - men of violence. Rarely do they think of peaceful men. But contrast the reception they will receive when they return home from their battles. Napoleon will arrive in pomp and in power, a man who's achieved the very summit of earthly ambition. And yet his dreams will be haunted by the oppressions of war. William Wilberforce, however, will return to his family, lay his head on his pillow and remember: the slave trade is no more.”====

**By Cameron Nixon & Anna Wong-Toi**

 * Lack of Equality:**

//Description://

This theme is important because it expresses the discrimination of differences in society during the time period the film is set. The main discriminations shown in the film are Racism (which leads us to the main plot-slavery), Sexism, and the hierarchy of society. It is shown through characters, plot, and society.

-William Wilberforce is constantly irritated by this lack of equality as it is a key barrier stopping him achieving the abolishment of slavery. -Opposing party (to the abolishment of slavery) treat blacks incredibly unequally, and show no effort in changing this. -Olaudah Equiano shows us what happens when one is treated unequally. His whole life has been changed by this lack of equality, he is almost the symbol for this theme because we see what happens because of the lack of equality through his life.
 * Characters:**

-The main influence this theme has on the films plot is that it is hand in hand with slavery. the lack of equality causes this trade to commence until Wilberforce achieves his goal- abolishing it.
 * Plot:**

-It is noticable that no women were accepted into parliment or high ranking jobs, rather as housewives and mothers only. -Slavery was accepted and completely normal in society. -We see a huge gap between the rich and poor. Neither assoctate themselves with the other, again this was the normal social hierarchy.
 * Society:**

//Quotations://

"And remeber, God made men equal!" -William Wilberforce

"A trade (slavery) which degrades men to brutes." -Olaudah Equiano

//Summary://

Overall the lack of equality shown in the film gives us a greater insight into what society was like during the period Amazing Grace and shows us how different the society now and the society then is (i.e what was accepted then/now.)

Grace and Ben


 * Theme: Hope Leads to success**

The theme 'Hope Leads to Success' means that when a character's hopes to succeed they will work to for it and will achieve their goal.

In the film; Amazing Grace, it seemed unlikely that the British would allow the abolition of the trade, but some of the characters continued to try in the hope that they would succeed. The abolitionists' great hope lead them to keep trying and eventually abolish the slave trade. The slaves and the other characters in the film hoped that the abolitionists would succeed and encouraged and helped them overcome barriers that stood in their way.

-William Wilburforce -Olaudah Equiano -James Stevens -Barbara Spooner -John Newton -Slaves
 * Portrayed by:**

"Is your story over? I think not because after night comes day." Said by Barbara Spooner to William Wilburforce.

"The weight of our hope made it all seem like glory was in for me." Said by William Wilburforce to Barbara Spooner.

"I heard the woman tell her daughter that someone was coming across the sea to save them, she said it was King Wilburforce." Said by James Stevens to the other abolitionists.

By Samantha Bradley and Ben Spence


 * The Need For Friendship**

This theme is about people needing friends to support them and help them with fighting for their beliefs. Also friendship can influence people to do things they wouldn't normally of done. With this you can influence someones thoughts/beliefs and in William Wilberforces case it would of been a big help as he could influence others to dislike slavery. It is also important as other people can give people advice on situations they are not sure about. Friend - allie or neutral person -Barbara Spooner -William Pitt -Henry Thornton -William Wilberforce
 * Dictionary Definition:** Friendship - friendly relationship or feeling.
 * Portrayed by:**

This theme is portrayed in the film when Henry Thornton is looking after William Wilberforce. He is helping him get better form his sickness. This shows the theme because it shows that if Henry Thornton had not looked after William then William may not have been cured from his sickness. It is also portrayed when Barbara helps William make decisions about politics. She comforts him when he is stressed and helps him carry on with fighting for the right to abolish slavery. William Pitt helps William Wilberforce out in the same way. He uses his political position as the Prime Minister to help William Wilberforces cause.

"As your Prime Minister i urge you caution" - William Pitt "And as my friend?" - William Wilberforce "To hell with caution" - William Pitt
 * Quotes:**

"Why is it you only feel the thornes in your feet when you stop running" - William Pitt "Is that some sort of heavy handed metaphorical advice for me Mr. Pitt?" - William Wilberforce

By Nicole Lovegrove and Dominic Williams

In the film Amazing Grace, the human rights were unjust and unfair, shown in the way humans treated other people in their society. Although people knew what they were doing was wrong in the way they treated other human, they didn't do anything about it as they were benefiting from it. The injustice of human rights were portrayed in the fimn in a variety of ways:
 * Injustice Of Human Rights**


 * Slave Trade-** The slaves were treated brutally and harshly for unnecessary reasons and didn't have the freedom they deserved.


 * Lower Class Society-** These people didn't have a say in parliament or how the country was run. The also couldn't do anything about it if they dissagreed.


 * Upper Class Society-** Many of these poeple didn't care about others and had a huge ego. They had enough money to buy slaves and thought that they were superior to people ranked lower than them.


 * Revolution-** Revolution also had an effect on human rights. America and France who were all for human rights had a huge impact on England.


 * Quotes:**

'No matter how loud you shout you will not drain out the voice of the people'- William Wilberforce

'We must distinguish between force and justice'- William Wilberforce

'If it's stormy weather, they take the lightest and throw them into the sea to lighten the ships load'-Olaudah Equiano 'Remember that God made men equal'- William Wilberforce

By Louise and Patty


 * Repentance For Sins and Forgiveness Of Them**

Everyone commits sins, from bad thoughts to murder. But are we ever really sorry for them? If we are, do we try to find forgiveness for them and do we search for forgiveness not just from God but from ourselves? John Newton recognizes that he has sinned greatly. He was formerly captain of a slave ship who took on board more slaves than were permitted, boxed them up below deck as if they were animals and whipped them with no mercy. So he gave up his job, sold his ship and became a part-time monk. By being a monk he formed a closer relationship with God and seeks forgiveness from Him. Instead of helping the slave trade, he helps William Wilberforce in his fight for the abolition of the slave trade by supplying him with first-hand accounts of what happened on board slave ships. Doing this helps him to face up to all the painful memories and the knowledge that he can’t change what he’s done, but he can try to compensate for what he’s done by giving William Wilberforce the information he needs to get rid of the slave trade. It is very clear at the start of the movie that John Newton repents for his sins but still relives the horrors of them and can’t forgive himself. By the end of the movie, having faced up to what he’s done and after helping William Wilberforce, John has finally earned the forgiveness from himself that he had been trying so hard to get.

· “You of all people should know I can never be alone.” · “You told me you live in the company of 20,000 ghosts. The ghosts of slaves.” “I was explaining to a child why a grown man cowers in a corner.” “I need you to tell me about them.” “I’m not strong enough to hear my own confession.” · “I’m the last person you should come to for advice. I can’t even say the name of any of my ships without being back on board them in my head! All I know is 20,000 slaves live with me in this little church. There’s still blood on my hands.” · “This is my confession. You must use it. Names, ships records, ports, people, everything I remember is in here. Although my memory’s fading, I remember two things very clearly. I’m a great sinner and Christ is a great Saviour.” · “I wish I could remember all their names. My 20,000 ghosts, they all had names, beautiful African names. We call them with just grunts, noises. We were apes, they were human. (cries) I’m weeping. I couldn’t weep until I wrote this.”
 * Quotes** John Newton <span style="COLOR: rgb(0,176,240)">William Wilberforce <span style="COLOR: rgb(0,112,192)">

**By Lea-Renee and Claire** <span style="COLOR: rgb(0,2,184)">

<span style="COLOR: rgb(0,2,184)">

<span style="COLOR: rgb(12,4,139)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(28,6,153)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif">Theme - The importance of leadership in society

Leadership is the building block of society. Without it everything falls apart. The importance of leadership in society is shown predominately by William Wilberforce and William Pitt. The importance of leadership in society is a vital theme in Amazing Grace, especially considering the time is set during the French Revolution. During war, people are afraid and are in need of strong guidance. If there was no leadership the justice system would crash. William Pitt and William Wilberforce both share one quality which makes them good leaders, determination. This is shown when William Wilberforce says "No one of our age has ever taken power" and William Pitt replies "which is why we are too young to realize certain things are impossible, which is why we do them anyway" William Wilberforce and William Pitt are also good leaders because they worked together as a team and they cared about the needs of people, regardless of their race, wealth or gender. This is shown when William Wilberforce exclaims "No matter how loud you shout you will not drown out the voice of the people!" William Wilberforce portrays leadership through his fierce determination to abolish the slave trade. William Pitt and his other friends' push and encouragement eventually leads to William Wilberforce's dream finally coming true. Lord Charles Fox says "   <span style="COLOR: rgb(28,6,153)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,2,184)"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif"> When people speak of great men, they think of men like Napoleon - men of violence. Rarely do they think of peaceful men. But contrast the reception they will receive when they return home from their battles. Napoleon will arrive in pomp and in power, a man who's achieved the very summit of earthly ambition. And yet his dreams will be haunted by the oppressions of war. William Wilberforce, however, will return to his family, lay his head on his pillow and remember: the slave trade is no more." William Wilberforce and William Pitt were great leaders and they proved this through their accomplishment of abolishing the slave trade. <span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif"> -Matthew and Emma


 * __Theme:__ Inspiration of Love.**

Inspiration of love is an important theme in 'Amazing Grace.__'__ It is portrayed by Barbara Spooner for William Wilberforce.

Barbara Spooner and William Wilberforce first met when he was 38 and she, 20. They were forced to meet eachother on the account of William Wilberforce's Aunty and Uncle, Marianne and Henry Thornton wanting them to get married together.

Firstly, she encouraged Wilberforce to talk about his past experiance in abolishing the slave trade. //"Seems to me that if you have a bad taste in your mouth, you spit it out, not constantly keep swallowing it back."// - **Barbara Spooner**.

She reminded Wilberforce that he still had the passion to go on with abolishing the slave trade. //“You still have the passion, that matters more”// - **Barbara Spooner.** She also made him realise that people can rediscover their compassion. //“The people aren‘t so afraid now the war in France is being won. And when they stop being afraid, they rediscover their compassion”// - **Barbara Spooner**. She showed complete faith in Wilberforce and inspired him through her love for him.

But she wasn’t the only one who showed inspiration through love for the other. William Pitt, being Wilberforce’s best friend and MP loved him as a friend. He constantly worried about him. //“As your MP, I urge you caution//” - **William Pitt**. “//And as my friend?”// - **William Wilberforce.** //“To hell with caution//.” - **William Pitt.**


 * __By Valen van Zyl and Hyunji Kim.__**


 * __Religion vs. Politics__**

=
William Wilberforce has a promising political career ahead of him when he has to make an important desicion in the direction of his life path and he is conflicted between pursuing his career and trying to abolish the slave trade, or pursuing the task of finding God. He feels he has to decide between the two.======

=
The theme Religion vs. Politics is portrayed mostly by William Wilberforce, but also through the people of Britain. For example, when war threatens to break through England, people become too scared to oppose the government on the issue of slavery. This is shown when a preist begins to preach about the injustice surrounding slavery, the congregation stands up and leaves out of fear that their belief in what is right and wrong will be sought upon as rebellion against the government.======

__** THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE ENSLAVED AND THE FREE **__ The contrast between the enslaved and the free is an important theme shown through-out The Amazing Grace. It is based on injustice and proves that slaves were “no-longer owned by God, but were owned by man” as quoted by Equiano. There are several ways in which contrast was shown: Human Rights The issue or human rights is the most important contrast. The enslaved had no say in what they believed in and their opinions were said unnoticed at the same time as the free choose the government, had a say in laws and even got to choose what they were going to do for the day. The enslaved did not have a choice of what to do with their life, whilst the free roamed the world choosing and having any occupation they desired. When an enslaved person passed away, no-one noticed. There was no funeral or grieving, whilst the free would have a funeral with loved ones there. These enslaved people only had their family, and they were often taken away from them.\ Health and Hygiene The enslaved lived as cargo in the slave ships. They had no where to go toilet or to wash themselves. They often had to lie in their own and others urine and blood. Diseases such as smallpox and yellow fever spread around like wild fire. The slaves had no medical treatment no-matter what condition they had. The slaves suffered this whilst the free would get medical attention for every injury they had, whether it be a stubbed toe or a broken limb. Space Slaves were packed as cargo between decks that were to low to stand up in. They were put in shackles which held them tight around the arms, legs and neck so that they wouldn’t throw themselves over board. If Africans were offered as much space on these ships as Europeans would have, they would have required to cut approximately half the slaves of the ship. Whilst the enslaved had no space to move, the free had roofs above their heads that were meters away from the floor. They could go wherever they wanted and had all the space in the world. Money To buy a slave you had to pay four hundred and fifty dollars. This figure proves to us that the African slaves were worth less than animals. This price is only half the price you would have had to pay to get a horse. You could not buy a slaves freedom as slaves could not be freed once they are enslaved. Quotes “I want you to remember that smell…remember the Madagascar…remember, God made men equal.” “Your life is a thread. It breaks, or it doesn’t break.” These five areas show the contrast between the enslaved and the free. It shows the reality of how the African Slaves were treated as animals. These slaves were no longer owned by God…They were owned by man. TESSA & THACIA

__** Determination against all odds ** In the film Amazing grace many of the characters showed determination in circumstances which most people would have just given up in. They kept on going even though quitting seemed a lot easier. William Wilberforce and his associates were determined to abolish the slave trade; they were driven by the sufferings of the African slaves. There were many opportunities for them to give up but determination prevailed till the day the bill passed. William Wilberforce, William Pitt, Thomas Clarkson, Lord Charles Fox: These characters were all very determined to abolish the slave trade. They worked very hard so that the Africans weren’t used as slaves. Olaudah Equiano: He endured a lot on the slave ships to England and working as a slave. He had many chances to give up his life but keep going. He was determined to escape and show people how unjust people are being towards the slaves. Determination is portrayed through the slave trade and how many people worked very hard and were very determined to abolish the slave trade. "I was chosen for this task and I've failed" William Wilberforce. He was tested on some occasions but still keeped gouing till the slave trade was abolished. Determination is also shown when William Wilberforce gets sick. He was determined to stop using his medication even though he was addicted to it. ** Quotes ** "After night comes day" - Barbara spooner :"Exactly we must keep going" - William Wilberforce "Why is it you only feel the thorns when you stop running? "- William Pitt "Is that some sort of heavy metaphorical advice?"- William Wilberforce
 * Dictionary Definition: ** Determination- firmness of purpose; resoluteness
 * Portrayed by: **

"So this time gentlemen we must not fail them" - James Stephen By Kelsey Julian __

**__ MORALITY - CHANGES DUE TO SOCIETY __** In the film, it is evident that certain characters’ morals changed according to the circumstances within society that they faced during late eighteenth century Britain. The slave trade and the possibility of its abolishment imposes factors on many of the characters’ morals and beliefs, testing them and for many resulting in the changing of these morals. These factors include: · Stature within parliament · Friendships and alliances - both original and newly formed · Differing opinions of the public/politicians/nobility · Public/political interest · A want for a just society · Fear __ How Changes in Morality are portrayed __ William Pitt · He originally agrees with his best friend, William Wilberforce’s cause to abolish the slave trade. · When his political stature rises to Prime Minister, his morals on the subject begin to change to suit the role. · He considers the opinions of his supporters – many of whom support the slave trade, and also the opinions of the parliament and King that he represented. · As a result he took on more neutral morals/beliefs regarding the slave trade. · On his death bed, he changes his morals back to sharing the same views as Wilberforce. Charles Fox · Originally was on the opposing side to Wilberforce’s campaign against slavery. · Realises that Wilberforce’s cause is morally correct and adjusts his own morals accordingly. · Changes sides to join Wilberforce. John Newton · A captain of a slave ship. · He realises his sins and changes his morals about slavery. · He lives the rest of his life in poverty and repentance. · He morally encourages Wilberforce to abolish the slave trade. Revolution · The American and French Revolutions take place. · War against France seems imminent. This creates an element of fear and panic. · As a result, the British peoples’ morals on slavery are misguided and many became ignorant of the brutal suffering they are causing Africans. · Once the battle against France turned in Britain ’s favour, the people’s compassion comes back – their morals about slavery change for the better. __ Quotations __ “Soon opposition will be called sedition!” //William Pitt – during an argument with Wilberforce.// “…at this moment I wish I could have shared your faith” //William Pitt – converting back to his original morals.// “….And once the people stop being afraid, their compassion returns.” //Barbara Spooner – encouraging Wilberforce.// > By Giuliana Sewell and Jed Sparrow