I
capture the castle
|
Book
| Movie
| Discussion
questions
|
Book:
back
to top
Movie:
back
to top
Discussion
questions:
1. "I Capture the Castle" was first published in 1948.
How might readers have responded differently to the
novel at that time in comparison to now? How might
their responses have been the same? Why does the novel
still appeal to readers?
2. What is the meaning of the book's title?
3. A voracious reader, Cassandra compares her situation to that of the
Bennets in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. How would you compare
the situation of the Mortmain sisters to that of the Bennet sisters?
4. What does I Capture the Castle say about class in
mid-twentieth-century England?
5. I Capture the Castle is told through Cassandra's entries in her
journals, an exercise she has undertaken in order to teach herself how
to write. Why do you think Dodie Smith chose the form of the diary to
tell the story of Cassandra and the Mortmain family?
How is the story told in the movie? What do you think of the way they
chose to show the story?
6. Mortmain's celebrated novel is described throughout I Capture the
Castle as a literary breakthrough, a predecessor to James Joyce's
work, and meriting the analysis of famous literary critics. Yet beyond
a few spare descriptions, Smith tells us little about the actual
story. What do you imagine Jacob Wrestling to be about?
7. Cassandra is fascinated by the Cottons and their American mannerisms,
traditions and expressions, just as the Cottons are fascinated by the
Mortmains and their English mannerisms, traditions and expressions.
What does I Capture the Castle say about English preconceptions of
Americans and America and vice versa?
Are these preconceptions included in the movie?
Do
you want to discuss this book or
others? Join
the group.
back
to top
|
