Discussion questions to American History X

1. The film is a sort of riddle (gåta) and questions are being answered through Danny’s flashbacks. How is this shown filmically? What effect does it give to the story telling?
a. Why does Danny have these flashbacks?
b. What does principle Sweeny expect Danny to understand while writing the paper (uppsatsen)?

2. Discuss and analyse what made Derek so hateful towards coloured people.

3. Who is Cameron Alexander? Describe and analyse him. What does he bring to the story?

4. Cameron says: “We don’t know them. We don’t want to know them. They're the enemy.”.
a. Who are we and who are the enemies?
b. The statement above, what does it base its opinion on – knowledge or emotions? Define it. Compare the statement to Derek’s relation to the coloured prisoner Lamont.

5. In this film it is presented that it is important to belong to a gang, to a community. What causes or powers drive people to disregard (bortse, strunta i) these questionable purposes (syften) just to belong to a gang or a context (sammanhang)? Are there any extreme groups existing in the society today? If that's the case, why do you think these groups exist?

6. It takes more courage to break free from a gang than to join one. How does Derek learn that? What is courage to you? Do you have to be a brave person, why? Why not?

7. Little brother Danny says: People look at me but see my brother. Analyse what he means.

8. In this film there are many violent scenes. Are they there to be entertaining or are they justified as a part of the understanding? Is a person born evil? Or do you become evil? If that's the case, what things make you evil?

9. Discuss and analyze the importance of role models. Who is Derek and Danny's role model? Who is you role model? Are you in charge of your life? How much do other people influence you in your life?

10. Is it possible to feel sorry for or understand people who do bad things? Can you feel sorry for or understand some of Derek's actions in the movie? Or is it impossible to feel sorry or understand what he does? If you can understand him which actions are understandable? When do you feel sorry for him? Motivate your answer.

11. Is hate a reaction of fear? Discuss and analyze how Derek's view of coloured people change when he gets to know Lamont in prison. What are the reasons behind that?