- Comment on Triumph of the Will (some portion) as discussed in class on 6/12. What do you think was responsible for the success of such texts as propaganda? Are we influenced by propaganda in ways comparable to Germans at this period?
Triumph of the Will worked as successful propaganda in this time because it gave hope and confidence to the German people who were struggling after World War I. Hitler was portrayed as a man of the people, a leader who had the interests of the people in mind and the ambition to make radical change and not sit on his thumbs like most politicians. Because of the economic situation in Germany, the people were desperate for a change. Hitler had many powerful speeches that rallied together large groups of people. Propaganda spreads like fire when people follow what is new and popular, and peer pressure can also have its effect. The film shows adoration of Hitler as he parades through the city, smiling faces of the audience, happy and ambitious soldiers doing their daily routines and respectable men praising Hitler's vision. Everything is positive and there is nothing shown of the consequences of Hitler's vision.
I think we are still influenced by propaganda comparable to this. Televised political debates and advertisements still focus on mud slinging the opponents and basing campaigns on religious views that get emotional responses from people rather than rational. Candidates say they have the interests of the people in mind, but really it seems more about making money, being powerful and having one's name known.
- Are there qualities of visual texts which make them useful for propaganda?
Visual texts are useful for propaganda because of their increased emotional response from its audience. People are also more likely to remember images, or how they made them feel, then lines of text.