Arsenic and Old Lace Discussion Assignments

Arsenic and Old Lace Discussion Questions:

Compose your reply by downloading the attached document and then adding your answers to it. There are seven questions for you to consider and answer. This assignment is work seven grades so complete it fully and carefully. To finish your response to these discussion questions, you should then upload the completed document as an attachment to your reply. Just click on the REPLY button at the bottom left of this thread and then upload your completed document to that REPLY.

Arsenic and Old Lace Discussion Assignment 1 

At the beginning of the movie, we find that Mortimer is working on a book titled “Mind Over Matrimony.” On what common expression is this based and why does it seem ironic based on Mortimer’s behavior upon meeting Elaine?

• The book, “Mind Over Matrimony”, comes from the expression “mind over matter.” It is ironic because Mortimer is against marriage, but now he is married to Elaine.

Arsenic and Old Lace Discussion Assignment 2 

The Brewster sisters are regarded locally as “kind and sweet” old ladies. Yet, we learn early on that they are killing strangers and burying them in their basement. Ordinarily, this would seem the opposite of their description. Why are we led to believe they are not acting hypocritically?

• At first it may seem like the Brewster sisters being “kind and sweet” is hypocritical, but it actually isn’t. They are helping strangers find peace, by killing them. Once they are killed they are in peace. It’s just different way of looking at it.

Arsenic and Old Lace Discussion Assignment 3 

Explain how the director uses pacing (the tempo of the play - he changes the action from slow to fast very quickly) to enhance the comedic effect of this work. Use at least two specific examples how this is done in your discussion response.

• The director uses different paces to increase the comedic effect. Throughout the movie the tempo changes from slow to fast. One example of this is when Mortimer first found out that his aunts killed people. When he was asking his aunts questions the tempo sped up. Another example was when the police officers show up, and teddy is acting crazy.

 Also, state why you think the authors named the Teddy character as they did, given the period of the movie and what was going on in the world at that time (you may need to do some online research to understand this).

• During this time period World War II was taking place. I think they wanted to name one of the main characters after someone that was a big part of the United States at that time. Which would be the president, Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Arsenic and Old Lace Discussion Assignment 4 

Authors and directors use irony to invest characters with interest and amuse observant audiences. In this movie, Jonathan, a long missing relative, shows up to do mischief using his aunt’s house as cover. He has had his face altered to look like Boris Karloff, a famous actor of the time who was famous for playing monsters, including Frankenstein.  Also, his sidekick, Dr. Einstein, is supposed to be a surgeon of some skill. Given the behavior of each character, why are their names and appearances ironic in your opinion?

• It is ironic because Jonathan’s face is altered to look like a monster and he is a murderer. His dark past contributes to him being a monster. Dr. Einstein was supposed to represent someone who was very smart. However, he is drunk and not very smart.

Arsenic and Old Lace Discussion Assignment 5 

At the end of the movie, the aunts are to join Teddy at the sanitarium. Mortimer wants to keep the authorities from finding the bodies in the basement. Why?

• The reason why Mortimer wants to keep the police from finding the dead bodies in the basement, is because he does not want the authorities to take his aunts to jail.

Also, why do you think the authors allowed Dr. Einstein to appear to get away at the end of the movie?

• I think the authors allowed him to get away with it because Dr. Einstein is a minor character and it wasn’t as big of a deal.

Arsenic and Old Lace Discussion Assignment 6 

This film is filled with irony. In one scene, there is a body in the window seat, many more bodies in the basement, a wanted killer within arm’s length, two women who poison visitors serving wine, and a relative upstairs that is clearly delusional and who buries bodies inside the house. A visitor arrives at the aunt’s house for which these circumstances should be clear signs for action. Explain why this situation is ironic.