Practice questions for OTW (2013)
1. The struggle of an ordinary man with his conscience.” Is that how you read “On the
Waterfront”?
2. “Edie is the only one of her kind: she’s blonde and female in a dark world of men.” What
does the character of Edie bring to “On the Waterfront”?
3. “Terry suffers because he dares to break the code of the waterfront.” Do you agree?
4. “By establishing Terry Malloy as the hero, “On the Waterfront” values the individual
conscience above community loyalty.” Discuss.
5. “On the Waterfront’s” ending is highly ambiguous. Discuss.
6. Terry Malloy’s redemption lies in his willingness to sacrifice personal security to ensure
the long-term security of a community.” Discuss.
7. Father Barry and Edie Doyle are crucial in the moral redemption of Terry Malloy. Do you
agree?
8. As a social-conflict film, On the Waterfront aims for a gritty verisimilitude. What are some
of the specific cinematic elements that help Kazan and crew achieve the appearance--or
possibility--of reality?
9. “Charley Malloy is just as heroic as his brother.” Do you agree?
10. “On the Waterfront” is a story about the battle between good and evil. Do you agree?
11. “It is Terry’s anger that leads him to testify against Johnny, not his newly-awakened
conscience.” Discuss.
12. “OTW suggests that most people prefer security to justice.” Discuss.
13. “The poverty of the dockworkers’ lives is portrayed effectively in the film’s
cinematography.” Discuss.
14. “OTW is the story of Terry’s journey to heroism.” Do you agree?
15. A pigeon for a pigeon. The themes of “On the Waterfront” are conveyed as much by the
imagery and symbolism as by the events and dialogue.” To what extent do you agree with
this claim?