Discussion Question 9
Hiroshima, Mon Amour and "In a Grove"

Answer any one of the questions below:

• These first few questions related to Duras's screenplay.

  1. Explain the significance of the title. What difference does it make to this love affair that it takes place in Hiroshima? In what sense are these characters representative of Nevers and Hiroshima; in what sense are they individuals? Why do you suppose they are never named?

     Note: much of the information you apply to this discussion could be used to help you write the Hiroshima, Mon Amour essay topic

  2. Discuss the woman's second "I meet you / I remember you" (2535) interior monologue. How does it sum up the course of events and express the woman's feelings? Note the differences between this monologue and the first "I meet you" (2510) monologue; what do the differences in the two speeches suggest?

  3. Comment on the mixture of fiction and documentary in the film. Would pure documentary have been more effective in probing the lesson of Hiroshima? Why or why not?

  Note: for this question it's not a bad idea to refer to several other works (documentary Vs. non-documentary) to back up your answer

• This question is for those of you who have selected the Akutagawa short story.

  1. In Akutagawa's "In a Grove," three main characters confessing to the killing of the samurai. There is also testimony from a number of other sources. So who killed the samurai? What evidence makes your conclusion seem like the most reasonable one? What evidence do we read that is probably not reliable? Why not?

     Remember to include examples (summary and documented quotations from the story) to help back up your answer.