Comparative History Paper: The Literature such as Novels and Film

Comparative Essay
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History can be studied through the literature such as novels and film. These two powerful media contain both pros and cons. Focusing on Amistad; a 1997 film that was directed by Steven Spielberg and a novel written by Howard Jones. As a novel, it was titled, mutiny of Amistad. The two give the story of the fifty-three Africans who carried out mutiny. The result was a trial based on the civil rights. It is true that the both medium have got merits and demerits. However, the literature medium provides accurate and detailed information for learning historical events. The film could have served as a medium of research if it were a documentary. It should be used as a complement to the book but not replace it in learning.
There are moments of the events that the film mentions which the book fails to mention as much as it is a success in the early 1840s historical events confirmation. The visual appeal the film gives the reader makes it the first advantage of studying history using film. As students, learning using visual appeal is more comprehensive and fun as it is presented in a more understandable and concise format. The film is lengthy, and it is therefore organized in chapters which are more concise and comprehensive. On the other hand, the novel is very detailed and lengthy. This makes it more resourceful when it comes to academic research. It does not dwell so much on the storyline to bring out the meaning. Reading the book sometimes is very overwhelming. It is full of political jargon making other parts difficult to understand. The film makes these events clear. A reader would understand readily the events in the film. The book should not be put aside, though, it forms the basis, and the film should only be used as a complimentary.
The theatrical component of the film becomes another advantage. The film is constructed in a narrative form that builds up emotions. There is a lot of tension in the scenes. The narration does not inform the viewer right from the start that the blacks were from Africa. There is tension in this, and the relief comes in after it is now revealed that they indeed form Africa and not Cuba. The book, on the other hand, provides this information in the first chapter. The historical events in the novel are presented in a non-fiction way thus out ruling the need for theatrics.
How the movement of abolitionist has been presented in the film is the next advantage. The themes have been brought out strongly. The themes here are those of racism and human rights. Most films that try to tackle the issues of human rights and racism suffer from criticism. The film has brought it out so vividly making it more understandable as from the historical times to date. The issue of racism affected the society in the ancient days, and it is still an issue to the present day. The film connects us emotionally to the suffering of the blacks. Cinque, the hero of the black team, suffers a lot when escaping the chains. He participates in blood mutiny. The emotional connection also goes to when blacks could not speak to defend their rights. When they are finally freed and go back to their homeland Africa, the viewer becomes happy and celebrates with them their victory...