The Butler, by Lee Daniels, focuses on the Gaines’ family and its interaction with the various presidential families that the main character served in his time as the White House butler. However, it also chronicled the burgeoning movements of the civil rights era that were taken across the United States. Gaines has been taught that, as a butler, his job is to remain unnoticed and that when he enters a room, it should ‘feel empty’.
He struggles to balance between his professional pride and his feelings as a black man in the face of what is taking place in the US. In his 34-year tenure, he is a witness of the views of the various ways in which the presidents make decisions involving blacks, and how the movements have affected these decisions and the lives of people.
While in the White House, he witnesses the inner struggle that Eisenhower goes through as he tries to prevent the use of troops to enforce desegregation in the south as well as his resolve to uphold the law when he integrates Little Rock in Arkansas. This increases his respect for the man and gives him a more complex understanding of the workings of the White House. The 1963 march, in which his firstborn was son is involved, agitates for equal rights.
In fact, it is one of the many movements that affect his character and relationship with his family. The proposal of the civil rights group led by JF Kennedy marked a critical point in the struggle for equality. Even after his assassination, his successor, Lloyd B Jonson enacted the law, which proved a particularly transformative piece of legislation for the black populace. His admiration for President Kennedy is evinced by his gratefulness on receiving one of his neckties from his wife after his assassination.
During the civil rights movements of the late 1960’s, Gaines is engaged in protracted conflict with his son, who he views as disobedient and rebellious for becoming a part of the resistance and joining the black panthers. He also loses Charlie, one of his sons, in the Vietnam War, which deeply affects and embitters him.
He proves to be a revolutionist in his own right when he agitates for equal rights and better pay for White House staff. He becomes friends with Reagan, who even invites him to a state dinner, but during these interactions, the huge marked class and racial differences in the White House disturb Gainer. The more he keeps the ‘upper’ company, the less comfortable he feels and he starts to realize that the president does not necessarily feel as he does about equality.
When Reagan refuses to support economic sanctions against South Africa’s apartheid rule, Gaines decides that he can no longer work for him and resigns. He tries to mend his relationship with his estranged wife and son. He discovers that Louis, despite having different opinions from him, respected him a great deal.
He even joins the Free South African Movement as a way to express support for both the people of South Africa and his son’s decision. Finally, the frame of the movie puts into the context the results of the many movements to secure the future for the African American as the main character waits to meet the first black president at the White House from where the story is narrated.