About
Schmidt
|
Book
| Movie
| Discussion
questions
|
Book:
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Movie:
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Discussion
questions:
1a.
Book: This book is about a man whose
life, as he has always known it, is
about to change forever. What
happens to a man who loses
everything: his profession, his
wife, and his daughter in a short
span of time? How does Albert
Schmidt go about building a new life
for himself in his sixth decade?
1b.
Movie: How does Albert Schmidt go
about building a new life for
himself in the movie?
2.
Q:
Is there any significance in your
having chosen the word
"about" for the title?
I've read that "re" or
"about" is a legal term
that "would invite us to treat
Schmidt as a case for judgment or
prosecution."
A (by Begley): The title means what
it says.
What does the title say to you? What
do you think about the title? Is it
an accurate one looking at the
story? Do you think he could have
chosen a better one? What would it
be if you had a say in it?
3a.
Anti-Semitism is often extremely
subtle in this book. How is the
subject of anti-Semitism handled?
Why do you think it is so difficult
to write about anti-Semitism?
3b. How would you describe
Charlotte's feelings about her
father? Charlotte accuses Schmidt of
being anti-Semitic but if she
believes this, why had she not
objected sooner? Why now and in the
manner she chooses? Why does Schmidt
not consider himself to be
anti-Semitic?
3c.
Is the anti-Semitic issue as strong
in the movie as in the book? Why
(not)?
4a.
Why do you suppose Charlotte's
character is written out of focus?
Why do we only hear from her
indirectly; through letters,
telephone calls, and messages?
4b. Obviously Charlotte (Jeanny) is
not out of focus in the movie. Does
this make her another kind of
character?
5.
Why
are Carrie and Schmidt attracted to
one another? What do they have to
offer each other?
Do
you want to discuss this book or
others? Join
the group.
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