THE TRUMAN SHOW Three Part Summative
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
HZT 4U Philosophy
Choose three and compose three 75 word max answers.
Decribe/explain how philosophical concepts are reflected in the film.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
Theological determinism
Brain in a Vat Thought Experiment (blue text p. 201)
Existentialism
THINKING/INQUIRY
Choose one and compose a 200-250 word response.
1. The movie opens with the following statement from Christof: "We’ve become bored with watching actors
give us phony emotions. We’re tired of pyrotechnics and special effects. While the world he (Truman)
inhabits is, in some respects, counterfeit, there is nothing fake about Truman himself. No scripts, no cue
cards. It isn’t always Shakespeare, but it’s genuine. It’s a life." What does Christof mean when he states that
“there is nothing fake about Truman himself.”? Do you agree?
2. During an interview, Christof states the following: "I have given Truman the chance to lead a normal life.
The world, the place you live in, is the sick place. Seahaven is the way the world should be." Is Christof
correct? What would be the benefits of living in Seahaven as opposed to the real world? If you think
Christof is wrong, explain why.
3. Consider yourself in Truman’s position. If presented with the choice to remain in Seahaven, a place where
you have been promised that “you have nothing to fear”, or to enter into another world that you know little
or nothing about, which would you choose? Present three arguments for your position.
APPLICATION/MAKING CONNECTIONS
Choose one and write a 200-250 word response.
1. The final scene of the film contains the following dialogue:
Christof: Truman, you can speak. I can hear you.
Truman: Who are you?
Christof: I am the creator of a television show that gives hope, joy, and inspiration to millions.
Truman: Then who am I?
Christof: You’re the star.
Truman: Was nothing real?
Christof: You were real. That’s what made you so good to watch. Listen to me Truman. There is no more
truth out there than there is in the world I created for you. Same lies. Same deceit. But in my world, you
have nothing to fear.
Is Christof on target when he says that there is no more truth in the real world than there is in Seahaven?
2. In George Orwell’s novel 1984, the Inner Party (tyrannical government) attempts to control the populace
through use of subtle propaganda and by inventing a new language. Throughout the Truman Show, there are
numerous examples of the television network attempting to control Truman, i.e. dangers of flying posters,
school teacher saying that there is nothing left to explore, his father’s death at sea, the rock climbing scene in
Truman’s youth, etc. To what extent are human beings controlled by their environments?
THE TRUMAN SHOW Summative
Name ______________________
Category/Criteria
Knowledge/Understanding
Understanding of philosophical
concepts
Level 1
Shows little
understanding of
concepts
Level 2
Shows some
understanding of
concepts
Level 3
Shows considerable
understanding of most
concepts
Level 4
Shows a thorough and
in-depth understanding
of concepts
Thinking and Inquiry
Analyzing and evaluating
information; forming conclusions
Critical thinking skills
applied with limited
effectiveness
Critical thinking skills
applied in moderately
effective manner
Critical thinking skills
applied in a highly
effective manner
Communication
Clarity
Language conventions
(eg. spelling, grammar,
punctuation )
Application/Making
Connections
Making connections within and
between various contexts
Communicates with
limited clarity
Uses language
conventions with
limited accuracy
Makes connections
between concepts with
limited effectiveness
Communicates with
some clarity
Uses language
conventions with
moderate accuracy
Makes connections
between concepts with
moderate effectiveness
Critical thinking skills
applied in a
considerably effective
manner
Communicates with
considerable clarity
Uses language
conventions with
considerable accuracy
Makes connections
between concepts with
considerable
effectiveness
SPACE FOR NOTES/OUTLINE OF ANSWERS
Communicates with a
high degree of clarity
Uses language
conventions with a high
degree of accuracy
Makes connections
between concepts with
a high degree of
effectiveness