How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation.
Quote #1
INTERTITLE: Piedmont, South Carolina, the home of the Camerons, where life runs in a quaintly way that is to be no more.
Yes—it runs in a "quaintly way" that includes the mass enslavement of people and enforced racism. Snark aside, Griffith frames the South as a wonderful, picturesque place that was only sullied by the Civil War.
Quote #2
[Puppies and kittens are seen playing at the Camerons' feet.]
By associating the South with these young domesticated animals, Griffith is associating the region with innocence—an innocence he perceives as being ruined by Northern intrusion.
Quote #3
[The Stoneman brothers warmly greet the Cameron family upon their arrival in Piedmont.]
The relationship between the Stonemans and Camerons is a way of depicting the relationship between the North and South as being positive before the war. Of course, we all know how things end up.
Quote #4
[A group of upper-class Southerners dance at a ball the night before the men are set to head off to war.]
This highlights the aristocratic nature of the pre-war South. Contrast this with the Stoneman brothers' departure for war, which was nothing more than a casual goodbye to their little sister.
Quote #5
[Piedmont is attacked by guerilla forces. They converge on the Camerons' mansion.]
Piedmont is a much different place when the war starts. This once quiet town is now ground zero for an armed conflict that has a real impact on civilians.
Quote #6
INTERTITLE: The last of their dearest possessions to be sold for the failing cause.
In a similar way, we see the Camerons' material wealth being sapped away by the war effort. We'd almost feel bad if they didn't get that wealth from—you know—enslaving people.
Quote #7
INTERTITLE: The South under Lincoln's fostering hand goes to work to rebuild itself.
The early days of the Reconstruction are depicted as being a grand old time. Thanks to Lincoln's conciliatory approach, the South is allowed to rebuild on its own terms.
Quote #8
[Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth while at the theater.]
BOOTH: Sic semper tyrannis!
"Sic semper tyrannis" is a Latin phrase that many "and thus always to tyrants," by the way. This represents a big turning point for the South, as the North will now take a more active role in the Reconstruction.
Quote #9
LYNCH: This sidewalk belongs to us as much as it does to you, "Colonel" Cameron.
This is the big bad change that the North is bringing to the South: Black people are being shown a modicum of equality with white people. Yeah...it's really something.
Quote #10
INTERTITLE: Election day. All blacks are given the ballot, while the leading whites are disfranchised.
First off, this is as false as false can be. It's like saying that smoking cigarettes improves your lung capacity. Forgetting that for a moment, however, this represents a big shift in power within the confines of the film.
Quote #11
BEN: Brethren, this flag bears the red stain of the life of a Southern woman, a priceless sacrifice on the altar of an outraged civilization.
The death of Flora is a hugely symbolic moment for the KKK, as it represents white society being "subjugated" by black society. Of course, that's forgetting the fact that Flora actually killed herself, but let's not let silly things like "reality" get in the way.