Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Sparknotes

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Analysis

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is an inspirational and comedic take on American politics. The film centers around Jeff Smith, a Boy’s Club leader similar to a Boy Scout troop leader, that is appointed to the U.S. Senate after one of his state’s representatives dies. Smith is chosen because a corrupt businessman and political boss, Jim Taylor, advises Governor Hopper to appoint someone who will listen to commands. Taylor and the state’s other senator, Joseph Paine, are trying to pass a bill through Congress that involves a provision for building a dam on a creek in Paine and Smith’s home state. Taylor has been buying land around the dam’s site for next to nothing, in hopes of turning it for an immense profit

after the construction of the dam. After settling on Smith as the appointee, Smith travels to Washington, D.C.

and takes his oath of office. Paine advises Smith to write a bill, to show his commitment to serving the people after a small fiasco with the press misrepresenting Smith. Smith decides to create a bill establishing a national camp for boys that would use money lent by the government and paid back through donations from attendees of the camp. The site for the camp, unknown to Smith, is on the same area that Taylor’s dam is supposed to be built. Smith finds out, and Taylor attempts to quiet him. Smith decides to attempt to bring Taylor and Paine’s corruption to light, but is interrupted by Paine on the Senate floor. Paine accuses Smith of buying land where the boys camp is to be built so he can sell it for profit, essentially dumping Taylor’s scheme on Smith. Smith is investigated by a committee, in which Taylor has lined up false witnesses to attest to the alleged, and untrue, dealings of Mr. Smith. After receiving a recommendation of expulsion, Smith is allowed the floor to address the Senate one last time, an idea given to him by his secretary, Clarissa Saunders. Smith launches into a filibuster, hoping to stall for long enough so his constituents can rally support for his cause. Taylor, however, uses his connections to spread propaganda against

Smith, upsetting the people of Smith’s state. After giving several heartfelt speeches about the corruption of the government and people’s moral obligations, Paine is unable to handle the guilt and confesses that he and Taylor were corrupt, not Smith.
This film deals with many increasingly important aspects of government, including career politicians, corruption, interest groups, and self-interest vs interests of the people. The film does an excellent job of contrasting Mr. Smith, the newcomer, with the established, veteran senators, especially Paine. It also examines political corruption and the influence that companies and interest groups have on the political system. Taylor is a representation of big business and interests that manipulate career politicians into supporting certain bills that align with their interests. This creates a clear picture of how some politicians are more concerned about getting reelected than serving their constituents, which can lead to corruption. The film does, however, take a hopeful stance at the end of the film, suggesting that all is not lost, that the American system is still one created by the people, for the people. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is an inspiration for anyone that ever wanted to make a difference in politics but believed it to be impossible. The story of a common man rising up to the task of bettering the nation is one that everyone can believe in, and should strive to replicate.