Representation Of History And Slavery In Django

The representation of race, in particular the issue of slavery and abolition in film is not only a highly emotive and potentially divisive subject but it also provides a means of accessing the past in a manner which is empowering and knowledgeably rewarding for the viewer. Representations of historical contexts in film are often critically considered to be amongst the main source of the general publics perceptions of the historic past. “When slave narratives are done on film, they tend to be historical with a capital H, with an arm’s-length quality to them. I wanted to break that history-under-glass aspect, I wanted to throw a rock through that glass and shatter it for all times, and take you into it.”1 Following the unlikely duo of a white German bounty hunter, Dr. King, and his black slave counterpart, Django Freeman, as they journey to reclaim the token damsel in distress, film director Quentin Tarantino sparked mass controversy surround the representation of African Americans and slavery in the south of America during the 19th century. The issue of race and slavery are directly confronted within the film told through the narrative of Django. Django Unchained is ultimately a story of white redemption; offering an interpretation into the justifications of slavery while race is represented in ways which both challenge and enforce stereotypes.

Within the first 20 minutes of the film we as audience members are introduced to 19th century American racial ideology. It is only when Django rides into the town of Daughtrey in Texas on horseback that we realise how African Americans were seen in the 19th century. Inhabitants look on in horror at the image of Django riding the horse, pointing out “It’s a nigger on a horse”2. In this momen...

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...ie. Stephen is frequently rude and opinionated towards Candie and other white counterparts with no punishment, suggesting a mutual understanding and even friendship between the pair. In contrast however, Django shows redemptive violence for the other slaves: black on white violence instead of the reverse that we have become so used to seeing in other films representing slavery. This however is dangerous as it could be seen to reinforce racial stereotypes that black people are a violent, primitive race that need to be controlled.

Django Unchained ultimately ends up portraying the unrelenting ugliness of slavery accurately. Both white and black races are represented in ways which enforce racial stereotypes and challenges them. Despite controversy, Django Unchained undoubtedly adds to our understanding of 19th century America and the racial ideology which drove it.