Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Existential Themes
1. How is the producer’s
statement at the beginning
existential?
2. How is Truman’s statement at
the beginning existential?
3. What other themes are clearly
represented by the statements
given in the exposition?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Existential Themes
1.What seems symbolic
about Truman’s first name,
and how could that be
existential?
2. What is the name of the
town in which Truman lives
and how is it symbolic?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Archetypal Symbols
1.Archetypal symbols
are universal
symbols that have
the same meaning
for all people
throughout all time.
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Archetypes
1.The moon is an
archetypal symbol of
womanhood
2.Water is an archetypal
symbol of rebirth,
forgiveness of sin, and/or
the unknown
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Questions
1.How are the producers of
the show attempting to
define and control
Truman?
2.How is Truman attempting
to exert the existential
theme of authenticity?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Questions
1.How is the “How is it
going to end?”
button an existential
question and what
theme does it
represent?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Questions
1.How is the
existential theme of
absurdity reflected in
Lauren’s dad’s
actions and words at
the beach?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Questions
1.What is Truman noticing
about his existence in Sea
Haven?
2.Truman’s stopping of the
bus represents which
existential theme?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Questions
1. What did Truman notice about
Meryl’s fingers in their
wedding photo?
2. What existential themes do
the signs represent in the
travel agency?
3. What existential themes is
Truman experiencing more
and more?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Questions
1.What does the bridge
archetypally and
existentially represent for
Truman?
2.What’s existentially absurd
about Truman’s
conversation with Meryl in
the kitchen?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Questions
1. When Truman says, “I feel the
whole world revolves around
me,” how is that existential?
2. Archetypally and existentially
why must Marlen and Truman’s
conversation take place on
that incompleted bridge?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Definition
1. Fog is an archetype
that represents the
unknown, the
mysterious, or our
fears.
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Question
1.Why does Truman’s
reunion with his father
have to take place on
the fog engulfed bridge?
2.How is Christof a godlike symbol?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Question
1. When Christof says,
"We accept the reality of
the world with which we
are presented,” how is
that existential and what
existential theme does it
clearly represent?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Questions
1. How is Sea Haven a
metaphorical “cell” and what
existential theme does it
represent?
2. What does Truman’s “Come in
Major Burbank” scene
represent, and what does
“that one’s for free” mean in
relationship to his existence?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Questions
1. From an archetypal
perspective, what
significance does Truman
moving into the basement
have?
2.Truman leaving the basement
represents which archetypal
symbol and existential
theme?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Question
1.When Truman screams “Is
this the best you can do” to
Christof, what existential
theme does it represent?
2.When Truman survives the
tidal wave and storm, what
existential point has he
reached?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Definition
1.Storms archetypally
represent a person’s inner
turmoil and struggles with
existence.
2. Lightening represents the
anger or displeasure of the
gods with humans’ existence
or an individual’s sudden
enlightenment.
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Questions
1.When Truman walks on
water what symbol does it
represent?
2. How is Truman’s
conversation with Christof
existential, and what
existential questions does
he ask him?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Questions
1.When Truman leaves
the set of Sea Haven,
which way is the door
positioned and what
archetypal significance
does it represent?
Focus Questions
The Truman Show
Focus Questions
1. Ultimately, what existential
theme does Truman
achieve upon leaving the
set of Sea Haven, and what
existential themes did he
have to go through to
achieve it?
The End
The Truman Show