The
talented Mr. Ripley
|
Book
| Movie
| Discussion
questions
|
Book:
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Movie:
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Discussion
questions:
1.
Patricia Highsmith modeled the book
"The Talented Mr. Ripley"
after "The Ambassadors" by
Henry James. One of the elements of
this book she used is the omniscient
narrator. We never ever learn about
Ripley's thoughts in the first
person. Do you think this worked in
the book? Why do you think she used
this technique?
2.
Tom Ripley feels he's a nobody and
thinks it's better to fake somebody.
Keeping this in mind, who do you
think Tom is in love with: Marge,
Dickie or himself? Why?
3.
Patricia Highsmith herself was
lesbian. Does this change your
answer to Q2, who is Tom is love
with? How is homosexualism dealt
with in the book and in the movie?
4.
The color green is a recurring
metaphor. For instance, the Dickie's
last name is "Greenleaf"
and Tom's hangout is called
"The Green Cage". And
there are more green elements in the
book. What does this metaphor mean
and why do you think Highsmith used
this? How was green incorporated in
the movie - if it was incorporated
at all?
5.
What role do the beautiful, idyllic
Italian landscape and music (both
classic and jazz) play in the book
and in the movie?
6.
There are differences in the plot
between the book and the movie.
Probably the most important
difference is whether someone
discovers Tom's web of lies. What do
you think of Marge's role? Do you
prefer the book version where she
buys the lie or the movie version
where she discovers the truth?
7.
Do you think Tom Ripley is a
psychopath? What kind of person was
he in the book and what kind of
person was he in the movie? Is there
a big difference? What do you think
of this difference?
8.
Do you think there is a Tom Ripley
in all of us? Why, or why not?
Do
you want to discuss this book or
others? Join
the group.
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