Schindler’s List Viewing Activity
Each member of your group will have a specific area of focus and responsibility. As you view
the film, you will complete your part of the activity. At specific intervals and following the film,
you will meet as a group to share your analysis and discuss the film.
Viewing Questions
You will need a separate sheet for your responses.
What sort of man is Oskar Schindler when the film begins? What is his primary motivation
in the first hour of the film?
What happens to the one armed machinist? What does this reveal about the SS soldiers?
Why do you think Schindler demands that Itzhak Stern gets off the train? How is Stern an
asset to Schindler?
Describe the demeanor of Amon Goeth. What does he do to the Jewish engineer? Why?
What does Amon Goeth’s pre-liquidation speech about Jewish culture in Poland reveal
about his intentions? What does it reveal about the Nazi agenda?
Describe the process of liquidation of the Krakow Ghetto.
Why do you think Goeth executes at random?
Schindler observes a wandering Jewish girl in a red coat. What is the significance of this
“girl in red”? What does she represent or symbolize?
This (the girl in red) is one of the four occasions in the film where color is used. Why is
color used? What statement does this make?
In a shocking scene, Goeth quotes the “Hath not a Jew” speech from The Merchant of Venice
to Helen. What point is he trying to make by quoting these lines? Does he convince
himself? What is the result of the scene and why do you think it ends this way?
At the start of Part II, what is happening to the bodies? Why are they doing this?
What are Schindler and Stern creating together in the smoky room as Stern types? Why?
What does Stern come to realize about Schindler at this point?
How does Schindler get the women (the ones diverted to Auschwitz) back to his factory?
How does he convince the soldiers that the children are a valuable asset to his factory as
well?
Why will Schindler be pursued as a war criminal?
What ultimately happens to Goeth?
Schindler’s List and The Hero’s Journey
As you view the film, consider Oskar Schindler as a hero. How does he develop over the course
of his experience? Identify the stages of his Hero’s Journey as he reaches them, and explain
how events/experiences/encounters fit specific stages of the journey.
Introduction to Schindler at the beginning of the film (What kind of man is he?):
Call to Action (What prompts the start of his emotional or spiritual journey?):
Crossing the First Threshold (When does Schindler start to change?):
“Supernatural” Aid (What guide/advisor/mentor is there to prompt Schindler’s change?):
Belly of the Whale (A dark moment in the early part of his journey):
Road of Trials (Various obstacles/encouragement along the way):
Meeting with the Goddess (Encounter with a female figure who forces realization):
Atonement with the Father (Encounter with a powerful/influential male figure who forces
the truth):
Apotheosis (Moment that Schindler’s transformation to a real man is complete):
Refusal of the Return (When does Schindler question himself and what he’s accomplished?):
Ultimate Boon (What was the reward?):
Rescue from Without/Magic Flight (What help does Schindler need to escape?):
Archetype Scavenger Hunt for Schindler’s List
As you view the film, identify as many archetypes as you can. Though the film is based on true
events, archetypes are still relevant. Character archetypes can be found in reality, and
filmmakers employ additional archetypes to enhance their telling of a story, be it fiction or
nonfiction.
Character Archetypes
Film Character Match(es)
Setting Archetypes
Corresponding Film Setting
Symbol Archetypes
Use of Symbol in Film
Situational Archetypes
Specific Situation in Film
Theme/Motif Archetypes
Lesson/Theme/Motif as Used in Film
Supporting Characters in Schindler’s List
While the central figure of the film is Oskar Schindler, supporting characters have a significant
role in his development. Consider the following characters from the film. Explain each
character’s relationship or interaction with Schindler and how this relationship impacts his
development as a person.
Character
The Reich
officials
Itzhak Stern
Relationship/Interaction with Schindler
Impact on Schindler
The Jewish
investors
The secretaries
The one-armed
machinist
Regina
Perlman
Emilie
Schindler
Amon Goeth
Helen Hirsch
The Jewish girl
at the party
Lisiek (Goeth’s
servant boy)
Other characters serve simply to develop some concept or aspect of the plot, the setting, or the
events behind the film. Consider the following characters. What is their purpose in the film?
Character
Significance in Film
Danka Dresner
Little boy who protects Danka’s mother
Mila Pfefferberg (“I won’t go in the sewer.”)
Poldek Pfefferberg (clears suitcases in ghetto)
Boy in the latrine
Marcel Goldberg