Discourse communities of law and science might’ve shaped the minds of the audience watching Birth of a Nations in a couple ways. One way, science could have influence in the audience, is going back to scientific racism and the idea that whites are scientifically better than African Americans. Another case law might’ve shaped the minds on the audience can link with the black man attacking the sister in Birth of Nations. Though we all know rape is a crime, the way the scene was staged and put on the black man may cause people to replay this scene in reality and take it for more than it’s worth. Law and science may be used to justify white supremacy when ideas like these are in the film.

Epistene- when society uses right/wrong, good/bad

Saphir- Wolf hypothesis- the structure of language determines a native speaker’s perception and categorization of experience. “it paints the world”

Typage- selection of actors on basis that their facial and bodily features convey the truth of the character. Fits type that matches the ideas directors want for the character

iris- round, moving mask that can close down to end a scene (iris-out) or emphasize a detail or open to begin a scene (iris-in) common in early films

iris-in & blue screen, burning house, soldiers marching, family and children crying. In the shots of the sad/disheveled family of women, we see how upset and vulnerable they are portrayed. The actors are doing a good job conveying their sad emotions in the scene. The iris- open and re-opens a few times on the family and on the soldiers. I think this technique was used to really place emphasis on the sadness and destruction of the war and the affects it had on family life.

Throughout the scene with the mixed house maid, we see her facial expressions changing quickly and her showcasing a lot of quick emotions. She seems to not be in control of herself and is portrayed as crazy and incompetent. She begins eyeing the guest, trying to persuade him but is rejected. She then loses control of herself and then licks her hands. She acting very strange, crazy and out of control. When the head of house approaches her, her demeanor changes and she gets very upset and acts shook up. During her exchange with the head of house, her clothes start to fall down off her shoulder, portraying her sexual nature. Her costume falling is an important part of the scene because it shows her becoming that sexual being and maybe trying to persuade the head of house now. She resists a few times then allows the head of house to embrace her.

Iris-in on a party and Lydia walks in new clothing and being treated as a guest of the party. Lynch walks in and both characters seem like they are up to something. Lynch goes to knell before the head of the house and he stops him, reminding him he is has equal to anyone else there. Lynch and Lydia are portrayed as allies, making a connection that all black/mixed people are working together in malicious ways.