2023
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson grapples with the murder of Trayvon Martin, prompting her to research the origins of racism and its connection to a global caste system. Isabel begins to explore the concept of caste, drawing parallels between the treatment of African Americans, the Dalit in India, and Jews in Nazi Germany, exemplified by August Landmesser's defiance of the Nazi salute. Her research uncovers a shocking connection between Nazi Germany's racial purity laws and American segregation laws, revealing that the Nazis studied American statutes as a model for their own discriminatory policies. As Isabel delves deeper, she travels to India to study the Dalit caste system and visits historical sites, further solidifying her theory that caste is a global phenomenon. Isabel completes her book, “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,” and delivers a powerful lecture, urging her audience to confront historical trauma and actively dismantle the remnants of caste in society.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Origin follows Isabel Wilkerson’s journey as she researches caste across history and geographies, interweaving personal family dynamics and global flashbacks.
Open full beat sheetIsabel Wilkerson is listed as Protagonist / Author. Pulitzer Prize-winning author researching the origins of caste. In the parsed data, Isabel Wilkerson is connected to 49 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
49 scenes / 13 dialogue linesBrett Hamilton is listed as Isabel's Husband. White, attentive, supportive husband. In the parsed data, Brett Hamilton is connected to 12 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 20.
12 scenes / 1 dialogue linesSuraj Yengde is listed as Dalit Scholar. Indian author and scholar. In the parsed data, Suraj Yengde is connected to 10 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.
10 scenes / 8 dialogue linesMarion Wilkerson is listed as Isabel's Cousin. Close confidante to Isabel. In the parsed data, Marion Wilkerson is connected to 5 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
5 scenes / 2 dialogue linesRuby Wilkerson is listed as Isabel's Mother. Spry woman in her early 80s, widow of a Tuskegee Airman. In the parsed data, Ruby Wilkerson is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesAugust Landmesser is listed as Historical Figure. German shipyard worker who defied Nazi salute. In the parsed data, August Landmesser is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 9.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesBhimrao Ambedkar is listed as Historical Figure. Indian scholar and architect of the Indian Constitution. In the parsed data, Bhimrao Ambedkar is connected to 3 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 26.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesAmari Selvan is listed as Newspaper Editor. Dashing Black editor. In the parsed data, Amari Selvan is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 12.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesIrma Eckler is listed as Historical Figure. Jewish woman, August's partner. In the parsed data, Irma Eckler is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 10.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesAl Bright is listed as Historical Figure. Artist and educator, experienced racial exclusion as a child. In the parsed data, Al Bright is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 57.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesAllison Davis is listed as Historical Figure. Anthropologist, husband of Elizabeth. In the parsed data, Allison Davis is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 48.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesElizabeth Davis is listed as Historical Figure. Anthropologist, wife of Allison. In the parsed data, Elizabeth Davis is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 48.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesA teenage boy chats on his phone while entering a convenience store to buy snacks before heading out into the rain.
Isabel and Brett arrive at Ruby's house to visit.
Isabel Wilkerson, Brett HamiltonIsabel visits with her mother, Ruby, while Brett handles chores.
Isabel Wilkerson, Brett Hamilton, Ruby WilkersonBrett helps Ruby get ready to leave.
Isabel Wilkerson, Brett Hamilton, Ruby WilkersonIsabel and Brett tour an assisted living facility with Ruby.
Isabel Wilkerson, Brett Hamilton, Ruby WilkersonIsabel and Brett discuss Ruby's move while getting ready for bed.
Isabel Wilkerson, Brett HamiltonBrett drops Isabel off at the airport.
Isabel Wilkerson, Brett HamiltonIsabel observes Suraj Yengde being screened by TSA.
Isabel Wilkerson, Suraj YengdeHistorical flashback of August Landmesser refusing to salute.
August LandmesserHistorical flashback of August meeting Irma.
August Landmesser, Irma EcklerIsabel gives a lecture about August Landmesser.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel talks to Amari Selvan about the Trayvon Martin case.
Isabel Wilkerson, Amari SelvanMarion discusses Ruby's situation.
Marion WilkersonIsabel talks to Marion on the phone while Brett helps find her keys.
Isabel Wilkerson, Brett Hamilton, Marion WilkersonIsabel listens to the 911 call regarding Trayvon Martin.
Isabel WilkersonReenactment of the events leading to Trayvon Martin's death.
Isabel processes the Trayvon Martin case.
Isabel Wilkerson, Brett HamiltonIsabel and Brett attend a gala.
Isabel Wilkerson, Brett Hamilton, Amari SelvanIsabel and Brett visit Ruby; they watch news about Trayvon Martin.
Isabel Wilkerson, Brett Hamilton, Ruby WilkersonIsabel and Brett argue in the car.
Isabel Wilkerson, Brett HamiltonIsabel and Brett return home, still tense.
Isabel Wilkerson, Brett HamiltonIsabel reads about Ambedkar.
Isabel WilkersonHistorical scene of Pullman Porters.
Isabel relaxes in a bath and reads a biography of Bhimrao Ambedkar.
Isabel WilkersonSuraj Yengde narrates the arrival of a young Indian student in New York.
Suraj YengdeBhimrao Ambedkar observes Black community life in Harlem.
Suraj Yengde, Bhimrao AmbedkarAmbedkar studies in London.
Suraj Yengde, Bhimrao AmbedkarAmbedkar is welcomed by Dalit workers.
Suraj Yengde, Bhimrao AmbedkarIsabel reads Ambedkar's words and marks the word 'CASTE' with candle wax.
Isabel Wilkerson, Suraj YengdeIsabel and Marion discuss Isabel's recent confrontation and the progress of her book over the phone.
Isabel Wilkerson, Marion WilkersonIsabel visits a museum built on former SS headquarters and discovers a connection between Nazi laws and American segregation.
Isabel WilkersonFlashback to 1934 where Nazi officials debate using American segregation laws as a model.
August LandmesserIsabel and Nigel translate the Nazi transcript, confirming the link between American laws and the Holocaust.
Isabel WilkersonAugust and Irma enjoy a night out until August notices Gestapo officers.
August Landmesser, Irma EcklerIsabel has dinner with her editor, Kate, and faces subtle discrimination.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel and Marion attend a family reunion where Isabel explains her theory of caste.
Isabel Wilkerson, Marion WilkersonIsabel watches a video of an academic conference where Dr. Suraj Yengde receives an award.
Isabel Wilkerson, Suraj YengdeIsabel and Suraj discuss the caste system and its presence in America.
Isabel Wilkerson, Suraj YengdeIsabel visits a sickly Marion and they discuss Isabel's upcoming trip to India.
Isabel Wilkerson, Marion WilkersonIsabel experiences a moment of frustration while looking for her keys.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel arrives in India and is met by a driver.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel rides in a tuk-tuk through Delhi.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel arrives at her hotel.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel receives a concerning update about Marion.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel meets Suraj and Ram in Delhi.
Isabel Wilkerson, Suraj YengdeIsabel visits the Ambedkar museum.
Isabel Wilkerson, Suraj YengdeIsabel reads while workmen renovate her mother's house, reflecting on the portrait of the Davis and Gardner couples.
Isabel WilkersonThe Davis and Gardner couples pose for a portrait, marking their ethnographic study of the American caste system.
Allison Davis, Elizabeth DavisIsabel receives a package containing stamps featuring Allison Davis.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel discusses the pillars of her book with her editor, Kate.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel walks through the airport terminal observing civil rights exhibits.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel visits the museum and researches laws regarding race and marriage.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel walks through the memorial, reflecting on the history of lynchings.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel hires a plumber to fix a basement leak and they share a moment of human connection.
Isabel WilkersonThe plumber leaves after completing the job.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel writes about dehumanization as a pillar of caste.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel interviews an elderly man about his childhood experience of exclusion at a public pool.
Isabel Wilkerson, Al BrightIsabel finishes her book.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel says goodbye to her mother's house.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel gives a speech about her book to a large audience.
Isabel WilkersonIsabel Wilkerson concludes her lecture on caste, challenging the audience to confront trauma and choose how to act.
Isabel WilkersonThe tragedy of caste is that we are judged on the very things we cannot change: the signposts on our body of gender and ancestry. Superficial differences that have nothing to do with who we are inside. The goal of this work has not been to resolve all of the problems of a millennia old phenomenon. But to bear witness to it's presence in our everyday lives and to shine light on its history - despite those who try to deny it and withhold it. Despite those try to convince us that we don't need to know. We need to know. We don't escape trauma by ignoring it. We escape trauma by confronting it. You can be born to the dominant caste, but choose not to dominate. You can be born to a subordinated caste and choose to take this information -- and fight. My mother once told me: 'All you control is you.' So, now that you know what caste is and how it works, how will you be brave? I'll leave you with that. And I thank you very much for having me.
Bhimrao Ambedkar's presence in the United States was a highly unusual endeavor, for a Dalit is also known by some as a so-called Untouchable. Not the lowest caste in India. Not even below the lowest caste. They are outcast. Disposable. Despised. Considered untouchable. He saw kindred spirits among Black people in America. Both in the oppression they face and in their survival.
I wish he'd have answered the man when he asked him why he was there in the neighborhood. Maybe he would still be with us.
I say leave the Jewish folks alone. They're fine. They don't need you. Black folk need you to do what you do.
You told Amari you're on a hiatus. You told me you were going to travel less.
We don't escape trauma by ignoring it. We escape trauma by confronting it.
I'll leave you with that. And I thank you very much for having me.
My mother just died a few months ago. Is your mother still alive?
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