A Few Good Men and the Hemingway hero

Study Questions

Mr. Faulhaber

Directions: This is an open film and note evaluation of your understanding of the Hemingway hero--a test. Answer each of the following items completely. You will need to use your own paper to properly complete this. You will need to watch the entire film before being able to answer some questions completely. Make notes as you watch, and when it’s over, write final answers. ( 75 pts . )

1. Discuss Kaffee’s demeanor early in the film. (Ten pts.)

a. What is your impression of him?

b. How seriously does he appear to take his job? Explain

c. What evidence exists that he is a good lawyer? Explain

2. (Listen carefully) Why was Daniel Kaffee selected as counsel for the defense? (Five pts.)

3. Discuss Dawson’s refusal to accept the deal of a six-month sentence for a guilty plea. (Ten pts.)

a. Why does he refuse?

b. What is your opinion of this refusal?

c. What does it reveal about Dawson?

4. Explain Kaffee’s growth in this film. (Fifteen pts.)

a. Compared to his demeanor and attitude early in the story, how has he become

“more and better.”

B. To which Hem ingway character can he best be compared? Explain.

c. In your opinion, at what point in the film does he find his code? Explain.

5. Briefly but completely explain how each of the following characters help Kaffee achieve his

growth. (Three pts. each):

a. Dawson

b. Galloway

c. Weinberg

d. Jessep

e. his late father

6. Col. Jessep’s position/argument. (Fifteen pts.)

a. Explain the validity of what Jessep says on the witness stand about defending a nation?

(The speech he makes is on the back of this sheet)

B. To which Hemingway character can he best be compared? Explain.

7. The code red question (Five pts.):

a. Why does Kaffee decide to ask Jessep about the code red?

b. Why is he so confident Jessep will tell the truth?

***Bonus***

Explain the significance of “I think better with my bat” re the line of questioning or strategy Kaffee employs in court during Jessep’s testimony. (Five pts.)

Colonel Jessep’s famous you-can’t-handle-the-truth speech:

Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls need to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lieutenant Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and curse the Marines; you have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives and that my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives! You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use them as the backbone of a life spent trying to defend something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you," and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest that you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!

The entire script can be found here:

/?sc r ipt=few_good_men