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QUESTIONS, MARCH 25: "THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING" |
- Consider
these questions for our discussion of the film with Prof. John
Anzalone
- What
were the real reasons that Peachy and Daniel set out for
Kafiristan?
- Initially,
what did they hope to achieve? As their time among the "natives"
increases, what are the changes that come over Daniel? Does
Peachy change? If so, how?
- How
does it come about that Daniel is hailed the "son of Iskander?"
How does he react to this position? Do his reasons for staying
in Kafiristan change after his acceptance of this position?
- What
are the characteristics of Daniel that remind you of Alexander?
- Can
Peachy be identified with anyone from the circle of Alexander's
friends, or from the army? Back up your choice with as many
characteristics as you can.
- What
brings about the estrangement of Peachy from Daniel? Is
this paralleled in the life of Alexander? How?
- How
does the symbol of the Masons fit with the plot? Consider
this: According to the Oxford English Dictionary (s.v.),
"in 1717, under the guidance of the physicist J.T. Desaguliers,
four of these [freemason] socie-ties, or 'lodges', in London
united to form a 'grand lodge', with a new constitution
and ritual, and a system of secret signs; the object of
the society as reconstituted being mutual help and the promotion
of brotherly feeling among its members."
- You
are a historical consultant asked by the producers of this
film to review it for authenticity. What struck you as particularly
well done? Do you see any glaring mistakes in the way the
movie was presented? Are the facts reported about Alexander
reliable? Are the memories and traditions concerning Alexander
in Kafiristan reasonable and possible? When would Alexander
have travelled through this area?
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