It shows that you can easily turn the poor against each other, if you bring money into the situation. Gangs of New York is about the separation of the Irish and the Natives, which eventually led into larger conflicts. In this film there are two important characters, Amsterdam Vallon and Boyle McGloin, who were both Irishmen in the Five Points. Amsterdam was the son of Priest Vallon and he became a positive Irish Leader who was looked up to by many.
Boyle McGloin was an Irishmen who was a Dead Rabbit, but later joined Bill “The Butcher” Cutting and became a “Native”. The character who most represents a true American is Amsterdam Vallon because he accepted everyone for who they were, he doesn’t show fear and he believes that everyone should be treated equally. The character who would be most harmful to American society is Boyle McGloin because he is a racist follower, who believes that if you’re not a “Native” than you’re not worthy or important.Amsterdam believes that in order to be a true American you had to be accepting of others, able to voice your opinions, not show fear, and if you have beliefs than stick to them. In the movie he shows four qualities which proves that he is a true American.
In the movie Amsterdam shows that he isn’t afraid of Bill “The Butcher” Cutting, no matter what, he will always have and be strong for his Irish/Catholic beliefs. Also, throughout the movie he also till claimed to be an Irishmen whether than a Native.He never gives up because throughout the movie he continues to strive for revenge against Bill and to try to get as close to him as possible. It was a part of the movie where Amsterdam had attempted to kill Bill, but wasn’t successful.
Bill beat him very badly, and he had to recover for at least 3 months. After that incident he still proceeded in his revenge against Bill “The Butcher” Cutting. He also, was a leader because when the other Irish or blacks were too afraid to stand up for themselves, he took leadership and led them to stand up for their rights.The average Irishmen thought that since blacks were seen as equal, they were their competition, so they were against blacks. They also didn’t like the blacks because that’s why most Irishmen were being drafted for the war (to abolish slavery). Amsterdam didn’t act that way because he didn’t discriminate, and had didn’t go against his Catholic/Irish beliefs.
In Ireland in 1842 many signed a petition that declared “Irishmen and Irishwomen! Treat the colored people as your equal, as brethren. ” That was what he seemed to believe.Boyle McGloin believed that a true American is defined as white and didn’t associate with “Blacks”. In the movie McGloin showed those traits, because throughout the movie he was very racist, a traitor, and willing to die for the Natives (and not his own people).
In the movie, when Priest Vallon died he instantly switched to the Natives because he could pass for one of them, and he knew the Irish would be outnumbered. He also went against the Irish as if they weren’t part of him, just to be considered a Native and hang with Bill.In one scene, he was in the church praying and he saw a Black man with Amsterdam, his response was “No niggers among the Natives. Niggers as robbers are one thing, but niggers in a church that’s something else. ” McGloin was very racist toward any colored person regarding the fact that they weren’t “white”, and he felt they were the reason the Draft was in place now. He acted like the average Irishmen, but still considered himself to be a Native.
He also behaved similar to other Irishmen and Irishwomen because as recently stated; blacks were viewed as their competition and not their allies.The characteristics of Amsterdam are beneficial to society because instead of following like the other Irish/Natives he stood up and took on the initiative to change the Five Points. He wasn’t afraid of Bill and he knew how to make him angry, and weak (by not following his lead); which is things that others that were fearful of Bill couldn’t do. He had strong beliefs and wouldn’t let anyone make him change the way he thought.
The characteristics of McGloin are harmful to society because unlike Amsterdam, and followed Bill out of fear.He also didn’t like the fact that Irish and blacks were bonding together to stand up to the Natives, because the Irish weren’t supposed to be with Blacks. A true American is someone who stands up for their beliefs, doesn’t discriminate or go against other races (racist), and never gives up. Amsterdam Vallon is a true American because he showed all those qualities/traits, and he also took Leadership in leading the Irish to equality. He learned throughout the movie that the people of the city are the ones who make it great, as he stated “My father said we was born of blood and tribulations; and so too was our great city.
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