Questions for The Alienist
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE OCTOBER 22
1. On page 73, Kreizler proposes what amounts to suspect profiling. Why does he think it will be useful? In the end, is it?
2. One theme in this book is whether criminal behavior is the result of the environment or of free will. Discuss how the book deals with this issue.
3. Describe some of the forensic techniques in use in 1896.
4. How did the legal system in 1896 treat the insane?
5. Compare and contrast life in late 19th century slums to life in slums 100 years later. Which was more violent? Why?
6. Why was J.P. Morgan interested in this case? What does this say about the nexus between crime and economics?
7. How would the investigation differ if these murders took place today?

Questions for Misery
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE OCTOBER 29
1. On page 33, Paul realizes he could commit murder. What led him to this conclusion? Are all people potential killers, given the right circumstances?
2. The book strongly implies that Annie's murderous behavior began when she was only 11. In light of what you know about criminal behavior, does this seem plausible?
3. Is Annie a "typical" female serial killer? What differentiates female from male serial killers?
4. How plausible is it that a nurse could murder as many people as Annie does without getting caught? How could law enforcement prevent such crimes?
5. What made Annie a killer?
6. Suppose Annie had survived and gone to trial for her crimes. Further suppose that she claimed insanity. If you were on her jury, what would you do?
7. Crazy serial killers like Annie Wilkes are very popular in movies and fiction (can you think of other examples?), and yet extremely rare in real life. Does this give the public inaccurate perceptions of crime?

Questions for Native Son
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE NOVEMBER 5
1. Why did Bigger kill Mary?
2. Were Bigger's crimes and fate inevitable?
3. Why did the author choose this title for the book?
4. In a few paragraphs, summarize Max's closing argument to the judge.
5. If you were the judge in Bigger's case, what sentence would you give him, and why?
6. Why does Bigger make no real effort to escape, even when he has some money?
7. Discuss the theme of "white" and how it is dealt with in the book.
8. Would things have turned out differently if these events took place today? Why?
9. At the end of the book, Bigger faces a dilemma: hope or hate. Discuss this dilemma, and his eventual choice.

Questions for To Kill a Mockingbird
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE NOVEMBER 19
1. Why did Atticus take Tom Robinson's case?
2. Several characters claim that Atticus was acting on behalf of the "good folk" of Maycomb who were unwilling or unable to act on their own. Evaluate this claim.
3. Why does Lee introduce us to the case so slowly? We know Tom Robinson will be convicted long before we know what he's accused of.
4. What is the metaphorical meaning of the scene with the rabid dog?
5. On page 197, Tom Robinson admits that he felt sorry for Mayella Ewell. Was this his real crime?
6. At trial, Atticus claims that the court is the "great leveler". Why does he say this when he knows he'll lose the case?
7. Miss Maudie claims that even though Tom Robinson was convicted, his case was a "baby step". What does she mean by this, and do you agree?
8. Atticus argues to Jem that in capital cases, only judges should set the penalty. Jem argues that juries should be abolished altogether. Do you agree with either of their assertions?
9. Why did Lee choose this title for the book?
10. Tom Robinson's case may have been inspired by the Scottsboro Boys' case, which took place in Alabama in the 1930's, and was eventually heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in Powell v. Alabama. What are the similarities and differences between the real case and the ficitonal one?

Questions for "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption"
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE DECEMBER 3
1.The events in this story take place from 1948-19776. Do you think they give an accurate portrayal of prison life then? Do you think they accurately portray prison life today?
2. Red discusses the "institutional man" at some length. What is he talking about? Do you think he's accurate?
3. Describe the role of prison corruption in this story.
4. Discuss the how the theme of hope is dealt with in this story.
5. Describe how the prison economy works among inmates at Shawshank Prison.
6. What are the main messages or morals of this story?

Questions for The Godfather
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE DECEMBER 10
1. Why did Puzo start the book with a scene of the Criminal Justice system not working?
2. How are women treated in the world depicted in this book?
3. Describe Don Corleone's system of values, rules, and honor.
4. How did Corleone become so powerful?
5. Compare and contrast the depiction of the Mafia in this book to that in Goodfellas.
6. Describe the Family's relationship with the police.
7. Discuss omerta. Why did it originate and how does it operate?
8. Michael explains to Kay why his father chose the life he did. What was the explanation? How convincing is it?
9. How did Michael transform from war hero to Don?

Questions for In Cold Blood
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE DECEMBER 10
1. While Perry's background seems to explain his behavior, Dick's does not. What made Dick a killer?
2. Some researchers believe that violent behavior may sometimes be tied to offenders' previous head trauma. Might this theory help explain what Perry and Dick did?
3. Describe the area where the murders occured. Does it seem odd for this crime to have happened there and then (1959) rather than in a large city today?
4. On pages 82-3, Dewey assumes that this type of crime requires a state of rage. Was he right? What was going on in the perpetrators' minds, psychologically and emotionally?
5. Describe the effects the murders had on the town of Holcomb. Why?
6. Describe Perry's childhood. Given his history, how responsible was he for his acts?
7. Describe the process that was used to determine the defendants' sanity. Does it seem appropriate?
8. Was justice served in this case? Did Perry and Dick get what they deserved?
9. With this book, Capote invented what he called the "true crime novel," in which he used intensive investigative work, combined with some imaginiation to fill in the details. Do you think he was successful? Accurate?
10. Capote spent several years investigating a crime that was, by the time he started, old news. The book was wildly successful with the public. Why do you think Capote and the public found this case so riveting?

Questions for Hannibal
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE DECEMBER 10
1. Describe the way politics affects how Starling's treated by the FBI after she shoots Drumgo.
2. Do you think Starling's gender affects the way the FBI treats her? Is this realistic?
3. Hannibal Lecter is portrayed as nearly supernatural in his abilities. Is this realistic? What does it say aboyt how we view serial killers?
4. What was Lecter's childhood like? Did his experiences make him a killer, or was he born evil?
5. Compare and contrast Lecter to reali life serial killers. Does popular fiction like this book give the public an accurate picture?
6. One theme in this book is hands. Describe how the theme appears.
7. In general, how does this book portray law enforcement?
8. What's your reaction to the way the book ends?
 

Questions for LA Confidential
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE OCTOBER 1
1. Toward the beginning, Smith tells Exley of the 3 requirements of a good detective. What's your reaction to them?
2. What do you think of Officer White's techniques for dealing with domestic violence?
3. How does the movie depict relations between the LAPD and minorities?
4. How and why do Exley's morals differ from his colleagues'? Why does he change?
5. Do you find the depiction of the LAPD realistic?
6. If you had to hire one of the officers in this movie for your own police department, which would you choose and why?
7. How much (and why) do you think policing has changed since the times depicyed in the movie?
8. Describe the interrogation techniques used in the movie. Which of them are legal today?
9. Why did each character (Exley, White, and Vincennes) become a cop?

Questions for Serpico
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE OCTOBER 8
1. Describe how Serpico is introduced to corruption within the NYPD.
2. Compare and contrast the depiction of the NYPD in this movie with the LAPD in LA Confidential and the SFPD in Dirty Harry.
3. The other cops keep saying that Serpico is "weird". What's unusual about him?
4. Describe the NYPD's relationship with minorities.
5. What would you have done if you'd been in Serpico's position?
6. How could a large police department avoid the problems with corruption as depicted in the film?
7. Do you think the NYPD has changed much since the time depicted in the film? Why?

Questions for Taxi Driver
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE OCTOBER 22
1. Though he tries hard, Travis doesn't quite get it; he's not normal at all. Can you give examples?
2. This movie inspired Hinkley's attempted assassination of Reagan. Discuss the similarities between the movie and the real crime. How accountable should movie makers be for inspiring violent acts?
3. Explain the significance of the scene where Travis destroys the TV.
4. Travis has his own code of ethics and values. Describe it.
5. Why does Travis try to rescue Iris?
6. Why is Travis a killer?
7. Imagine you were writing a sequel. What do you think would happen to Travis? To Iris?
8. Scorsese has said he was surprised by the popularity of this movie; it seems that something in Travis Bickle speaks to a lot of people. What is it? Is there a little Travis in all of us?
9. What does the conclusion of the film have to say about who our heroes are?

Questions for Menace II Society
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE OCTOBER 22
1. Discuss the meaning of the opening scene in the convenience store.
2. Discuss Caine's parents, and their influence on his behavior.
3. Compare and contrast Caine's life with your own.
4. Describe the interrogation scene. What techniques did the officer use to try to get a confession from Caine?
5. describe the interactions between Caine and the police.
6. In one scene, police officers beat Caine and his friend and then drop them in a Mexican neighborhood. Is this realistic, do you think?
7. How different is life in Caine's neighborhood in the 1980's from similar neighborhoods in the 1950's, as depicted in LA Confidential?

Questions for O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE NOVEMBER 5
1. The movie opens with a scene of a chain gang. Today some states have reimplemented them. Do you think this is a good idea?
2. Consider who the heroes are in this film, and who are the villains. What do you think this implies about our culture? Can you think of other examples of movie heroes who are outlaws?
3. Discuss the role that difficut economic times play in the characters' criminal behavior.
4. If Ulysses lived in California today, what do you think he'd be doing?
5. How are the police depicted in this film? Do you think it's realistic portrayal of Mississippi police during the Depression, especially considering real cases like Brown v. Mississippi?
6. According  to the film, what role did the Klan play in Southern life in the 1930's?
7. The officer who's chasing the heroes tells them, "The law is a human institution." What does he mean? Do you agree?

Questions for 12 Angry Men
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE NOVEMBER 19
1. Henry Fonda's character did some research of his own when he looked for (and found) a knife identical to the murder weapon. This wouldn't be permissible in real life. Should it be?
2. The movie is "12 Angry Men" because at the time, women were ineligible for jury duty. Would including women (and minorities) have changed the dynamics of this jury?
3. Describe the physical set-up of the jury room. How would you change it to improve deliberations?
4. Describe the role of eyewitness testimony in this case. How reliable is eyewitness testimony in general?
5. Our justice system requires that jurors begin with a presumption of the defendant's innocence. Is this what happened in this case?
6. What would have happened in this case had this jurisdiction not required unanimous juries?
7. What role did the jurors' personal biases and beliefs play in their decision making?
8. How realistic do you think this film is?

Questions for My Cousin Vinny
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE NOVEMBER 19
1. A lot of the humor in this movie derives from the big city lawyer in a small Southern town. What do you think would happen if a real New York attorney had a case in a town like this?
2. In real life, it's not unusual for attorneys in capital cases to have never tried a murder case before. Does it seem right to allow inexperienced attorneys to take these cases?
3. Describe the arraignment scene. Why does the judge find Vinny in contempt? How much leeway should judges be given in running their courtrooms?
4. Vinny has a great deal of trouble learning the proper courtroom procedures. Why are these procedures so important? Or are they just silly formalities?
5. Overall, how accurately does this movie depict criminal procedures?
6. At the prelim, evidence against the defendants looks pretty strong. What is it? Do you think truly innocent people ever have this much evidence against them?
7. How could the system ensure the accuracy of eyewitness testimony?
8. Would Lisa really be acceptable as an aexpert witness?

Questions for Cool Hand Luke
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE DECEMBER 3
1. Describe the box. What kinds of offenses could get a prisoner put there?
2. What's life like for the prisoners in the film? Does their punishment fit their crimes?
3. How are the guards portrayed in this film? Do you think this was realistic for the time?
4. Would you rather do time in a modern prison in California, or in the prison portrayed in the movie? In which would you rather work?
5. Were any of Luke's constitutional rights violated? How would this kind of thing be avoided today?
6. Suppose Luke were alive in Modesto today. What would likely happen to him?
7. What does this movie have to say about heroes?
8. Discuss the role that race plays (or more accurately, doesn't play) in this film. Given that most of the people on chain gangs were African Americans, why their absebce from the film?
9. What are the messages or morals of this film?

Questions for Goodfellas
Choose any 2-3 of these questions to answer in your review.
DUE DECEMBER 10
1. Why is it so important to Paulie and Jimmy that Henry stay with his wife?
2. The movie depicts the mafiosi as living pretty well in prison. Is this accurate?
3. The Mafia is often depicted as having a code of honor. Do the gangsters in this movie have a code?
4. Henry Hill was famous for being one of the very mafiosi who ratted. Why did he?
5. The movie claims to give a more accurate depiction of the Mafia than do most movies and television shows. How is it different? Do you believe it's more accurate?
6. Describe how and why Henry joined the Mafia.
7. How and why did Karen come to accept Henry's way of life?