Viewing Blogs Isabelle Langley Mr.

Smith goes to Washington, There were many different instances of moral struggle in the film, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. The one that I was drawn to the most was the moral struggle that Mr. Smiths assistant, Clarissa Sanders, experiences throughout the film. In the beginning, Sanders cannot stand Smiths overly patriotic and positive attitude. She is so much annoyed by his boyish attitude that she threatens to quit but decides to stay with her job for some extra cash. To make things difficult for the new Senator, Sanders sets Smith up for an embarrassing run-in with the media. However, after spending some time with the Senator, Sanders sense of moral obligation to her boss begins to shine through. She begins to feel for the new Senator and wishes to expose the corruptions in the government, which are preventing Smith from succeeding in his goal of opening a boys camp. In the beginning, Sanders stays out of the other senators plans for their own personal gain. However, not far into the film, she finds herself wondering whether it is better to tell the truth (even though it would crush the nave senators image of the United States government) or whether she should stay quiet and let the corrupt leaders have their way, however, misguided and unconstitutional they may be.