Passive to Proactive: The Growth of Jefferson Smith's Ideals

Contrasting corruption and innocence is a major part of the movie Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. The film, made in 1939, stars Jean Arthur and James Stewart and is directed by Frank Capra. We know from the beginning that a United States senator has died and needs to be replaced by a regular man who will follow orders without asking questions. After two names are brought up, the governor of the state has a hard time debating on who to choose. His children offer a new option, Jefferson Smith (Stewart), the leader of the Boy Rangers. He is loved by all the children and, as the kids put it, "For every kid there are two votes." From the first time we meet Mr. Smith, we know that he is full of innocence man who would do anything for his country.

Behind the scenes in Washington, however, the corrupt senators, led by Smith's counterpart Senator Paine (Claude Rains), have made a bill that would build a dam in Willet Creek providing increased income for a business that is paying off the senators. Unfortunately for them, Jefferson Smith tries to pass an act that would bring boys from all over the country to Willet Creek for a vacation to keep the out of the rough cities. When Smith finds out the truth about Willet Creek, and that the money from the dam will go to a wealthy business man named James Taylor, he tries to stop the act from being passed, only to find himself being cast aside by the country that he loves. The film stresses the difference between Smith and the other senators with editing, showing his growth from a passive small town worker to a man with a purpose that will fight for the innocence that lies in the hearts of everyday American citizens.