Film as a Source of Historical Knowledge: Jews in American Society and Film of the 20th Century
Zbigniew Lewicki
kwartalnik.filmowy@ispan.plCardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw (Poland)
Abstract
The article deals with the question of film as a source of historical knowledge using the example of how Jews were treated in American society in the 20th century and how this was reflected in films. His analysis suggests that there is a clear correlation between historical events of this period and the frequency and manner of portraying the dilemmas of the religiously and culturally separate Jewish minority in the United States. But this is not a one-sided relationship, as films not only reflected this social issue, but also influenced American attitudes towards the Jewish minority. Although the question of the role played by films in historiography requires further, wider investigations, the article clearly shows that with certain caution, films can be treated as a source of historical knowledge, and especially on the social attitudes of the era.
Keywords:
Jews, American Jews, American historical cinemaReferences
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Authors
Zbigniew Lewickikwartalnik.filmowy@ispan.pl
Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw Poland
Amerykanista, profesor; kierownik Katedry Amerykanistyki na Uniwersytecie Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego. Autor wielotomowej Historii cywilizacji amerykańskiej, a także licznych publikacji, przede wszystkim z zakresu polityki i kultury Stanów Zjednoczonych.
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