10 Questions to Consider

1. Asses the guilt/innocence of each character in the story. Do you believe that any one character is truly innocent in their actions?
2. This story focuses a lot on contrasting active sin and passive sin. Do you believe the more sever (mortal v. venial) sins in this story are the active of passive ones? i.e. Murder v. assisting in the murder or disavowing information of the murder
3. Is a sin always a sin or do the circumstances of the action change the nature of the sin. i.e. killing for vengeance of a son or killing for jealousy towards a lover
4. The movie version of this story “In the Bedroom” obviously signifies one very important area/symbol for the story. What do you think the bedroom represents in the story/for different characters/in different scenes?
5. What do you think happens after the story’s end? What do you believe should happen?
6. Were Matt’s actions those of justice or of vengeance? Are the two sometimes the same thing?
7. What significance does retribution seem to hold for the different characters in the story as opposed to Dubus? Do you think the author is in concurrence over the topic with and certain characters view?
8. Is it possible that the outcomes of the story could have been affected by the “by standards” who don’t necessarily take action against someone but who take no opportunity to stop those that do? (Mainly Matt’s wife)
9. Draws some parallels between the motives for Frank and Strout’s murders. How are they similar? Different? Is one more justified than the other?
10. Was it right? (Although simple this question boils down the entire story; it applies to all sub-plots and should be considered through the perspectives of the characters, the author, and finally through you. Decided how these different views compare and contrast with those in your group.)