Robert Ebert - Film Review of Lincoln
"Lincoln believed slavery was immoral, but he also considered the 13th Amendment a masterstroke in cutting away the financial foundations of the Confederacy. In the film, the passage of the amendment is guided by William Seward (David Strathairn), his secretary of state, and by Rep. Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones), the most powerful abolitionist in the House. Neither these nor any other performances in the film depend on self-conscious histrionics; Jones in particular portrays a crafty codger with some secret hiding places in his heart."
My paraphrase of this selected passage
In the movie, Lincoln is seen to have a very strong dislike towards the idea of slavery because he thought it was wrong. Lincoln sees at the same time that the 13th Amendment is a power move because it will undercut the Confederacy economically. The movie portrays Lincoln's secretary of state, William Seward played by David Strthairn, and House of Representatives member, Thaddeus Stevens played by Tommy Lee Jones as a leading figures in getting Congress to take action on the 13th Amendment. All of the characters in the film, portrayed their rolls as overly dramatic. Jones plays his role as a sly old man with some of the secrets that he has kept from the world.
Ummmm I don't see any evidence that the first paragraph belongs to the one and only Roger Ebert. Your ideas are very unique and clear in the beginning of the paragraph but the last couple sentences are similar to the original quote. You rarely or never used the same words as the original and that's muy bein.
ReplyDeleteThis was well written, but the usage of "colored people" was not used in the first paragraph.
ReplyDeleteYou include very few words that were in the the original passage.
ReplyDeleteHere is my paraphrase of the original text - use it to help make sure you understand the meaning of the original text and then edit and revise your own paraphrase so that it captures the author's meaning in your words, as I capture it here in my words:
ReplyDeleteFrom Lincoln's perspective, slavery was wrong. However, he also was fully aware that by ending slavery, he wasn't just doing the right thing - he was also doing something that was really going to hurt the Confederacy, which depended on slavery for its economic survival. The movie shows how secretary of state, William Seward, as well as Congressmen Thaddeus Stevens, a leading opponent of slavery, helped to get the 13th Amendment passed. The actors in these roles, like those who play the film's other characters, don't rely on overly-dramatic, showy performance. Exemplifying the subtly of these actors is Jones, who portrays Stevens as a clever old guy who is maybe keeping some very important personal things to himself.
Send me a note when your paraphrase is updated and feel free to see me at consultation time to get help or discuss your revision.