For today's audiences, this seems over the top, or as a few comments stated, "heavy- handed". Try to imagine what life was life in 1912 for immigrants - different languages spoken, different mores, and different laws.
One of the appealing aspects of silent movies for immigrants was that one could be entertained, even if you spoke little to no English. Without the subtitles, one could still tell that this big Russian man's behavior changed. One didn't need to know English to know that it is frowned upon to beat your wife - regardless of how accepted it might have been in the "old country". You also didn't need to know English to notice that the couple seemed much happier after the husband learned that there were consequences for spousal abuse.
"Making an American Citizen" addresses one aspect that some immigrants needed to know about their new country - this makes me wonder if there were similar movies made around the time to help people learn about living in the United States.
One of the appealing aspects of silent movies for immigrants was that one could be entertained, even if you spoke little to no English. Without the subtitles, one could still tell that this big Russian man's behavior changed. One didn't need to know English to know that it is frowned upon to beat your wife - regardless of how accepted it might have been in the "old country". You also didn't need to know English to notice that the couple seemed much happier after the husband learned that there were consequences for spousal abuse.
"Making an American Citizen" addresses one aspect that some immigrants needed to know about their new country - this makes me wonder if there were similar movies made around the time to help people learn about living in the United States.