When it comes to the movie American History X, one of the most talked-about aspects is the character of Derek Vinyard, played by Edward Norton. The film tells the story of Derek’s journey from being a white supremacist to realizing the error in his ways and trying to make amends.
However, many viewers have been left wondering about what exactly happened to his character in the end. Let’s take a closer look.
Who Is Derek Vinyard?
Before we delve into what happened to Derek Vinyard in American History X, let’s first understand who he is. At the start of the film, Derek is a young man who has been radicalized into white supremacy following his father’s murder by black drug dealers. He becomes a leader of a Neo-Nazi group and is eventually arrested for killing two black men who were trying to steal his truck.
The Turning Point
While in prison, Derek befriends an African-American man named Lamont and begins to question his beliefs. He realizes that his hatred towards other races stems from his own insecurities and anger towards the world. This realization leads him to change his perspective and reject white supremacy.
The Ending
Now back to what happened to Derek Vinyard in American History X – towards the end of the film, we see him trying to prevent his younger brother Danny from following in his footsteps. However, Danny is tragically killed by members of a rival gang before he can fully turn away from their ideology.
This event serves as a wake-up call for Derek, who realizes that violence only begets more violence. He turns himself over to authorities for breaking parole and goes back to prison, where he spends time reflecting on his past actions and how they have hurt others.
In the final scene of American History X, we see Derek sitting alone in a prison yard, looking at family photos and smiling. This scene suggests that he has finally found peace within himself and is on the path to redemption.
Conclusion
The character of Derek Vinyard in American History X is a complex one, and his journey from hate to redemption is a powerful one. While the film doesn’t explicitly spell out what happens to him in the end, it’s clear that he has come to terms with his past actions and is trying to make amends. The use of visual elements such as bold text, subheaders, and lists can help highlight the key points of this analysis and make it easier for readers to understand.