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Below are the readings for this unit (from Rereading America)
and some questions for discussion. I have also provided questions for
the film “Guess Who’s Coming Dinner?” Supplemental
readings from Rereading America are also available.
Thomas Jefferson, “ Notes on the State of Virginia” (pp.
532-537)
- What claim does Jefferson make in his essay? What reasons does he
give to support his claim? Do they seem credible? Why or why not?
- Make a short list of Jefferson’s observations of the differences
between blacks and whites. What flaws can you find in his analysis?
Ronald Takaki, excerpt from “A Different Mirror” (pp. 538-557)
- What claim does Takaki make about the different groups of people
that make up American society? What reasons does he give to support
them?
- How do Takaki’s arguments compare to those of Jefferson’s
in regards to the qualities that make an “American”?
- How might you relate your answer to the different ways we can interpret
the “us” vs. “them” cartoon?
“Guess Who’s Coming Dinner?” (1967)
Stanley Kramer, Director
- How do people react when they realize Joey and John are a couple?
How do different characters manifest their feelings toward them?
- Why does the director seem to go out of his way to emphasize John’s
credentials as a world-renowned African-American doctor? How does
this complicate the controversy of John and Joey’s proposed
marriage?
- After the initial shock of learning about John and Joey’s
relationship, what reasons do different characters give for their
support for/disapproval of the pending marriage?
- Joey seems to be the only character that isn’t deterred by
any of the issues that come up during the course of the film. Can
we characterize her behavior as naive? Why or why not?
- What arguments seem the most compelling to you as to why John and
Joey should or should not get married? Explain what issues seem the
most important to consider and why?
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