Focus Questions The Truman Show

How is the producer’s statement at the beginning existential? Existential Themes How is the producer’s statement at the beginning existential? How is Truman’s statement at the beginning existential? What other themes are clearly represented by the statements given in the exposition?

Focus Questions The Truman Show

Existential Themes What seems symbolic about Truman’s first name, and how could that be existential? What is the name of the town in which Truman lives and how is it symbolic?

Focus Questions The Truman Show

Archetypal Symbols Archetypal symbols are universal symbols that have the same meaning for all people throughout all time.

Focus Questions The Truman Show

The moon is an archetypal symbol of womanhood Archetypes The moon is an archetypal symbol of womanhood Water is an archetypal symbol of rebirth, forgiveness of sin, and/or the unknown

Focus Questions The Truman Show

Focus Questions How are the producers of the show attempting to define and control Truman? How is Truman attempting to exert the existential theme of authenticity?

Focus Questions The Truman Show

Focus Questions 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 How is the existential theme of absurdity reflected in Lauren’s dad’s actions and words at the beach?

Focus Questions The Truman Show

What is Truman noticing about his existence in Sea Haven? Focus Questions What is Truman noticing about his existence in Sea Haven? Truman’s stopping of the bus represents which existential theme?

Focus Questions The Truman Show

Focus Questions What did Truman notice about Meryl’s fingers in their wedding photo? What existential themes do the signs represent in the travel agency? What existential themes is Truman experiencing more and more?

Focus Questions The Truman Show

Focus Questions What does the bridge archetypally and existentially represent for Truman? What’s existentially absurd about Truman’s conversation with Meryl in the kitchen?

Focus Questions The Truman Show

Focus Questions When Truman says, “I feel the whole world revolves around me,” how is that existential? Archetypally and existentially why must Marlen and Truman’s conversation take place on that incompleted bridge?

Focus Questions The Truman Show

Focus Definition Fog is an archetype that represents the unknown, the mysterious, or our fears.

Focus Questions The Truman Show

How is Christof a god-like symbol? Focus Question Why does Truman’s reunion with his father have to take place on the fog engulfed bridge? How is Christof a god-like symbol?

Focus Questions The Truman Show

Focus Question 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 How is Sea Haven a metaphorical “cell” and what existential theme does it represent? 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 From an archetypal perspective, what significance does Truman moving into the basement have? Truman leaving the basement represents which archetypal symbol and existential theme?

Focus Questions The Truman Show

Focus Question When Truman screams “Is this the best you can do” to Christof, what existential theme does it represent? When Truman survives the tidal wave and storm, what existential point has he reached?

Focus Questions The Truman Show

Focus Definition Storms archetypally represent a person’s inner turmoil and struggles with existence. 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 When Truman walks on water what symbol does it represent? How is Truman’s conversation with Christof existential, and what existential questions does he ask him?

Focus Questions The Truman Show

Focus Questions 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 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