Columbine (Cullen) - Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions
These questions were written and graciously shared with LitLovers by Jennifer Johnson, MA, MLIS, Reference Librarian at Springdale Public Library in Arkansas. Thank you (again), Jennifer.

1. Do you remember where or what you were doing when the Columbine massacre occurred? What were your thoughts about it?

2. How did Columbine impact your life?

3. As a reader, what was the hardest part to read? Did you skip any sections?

4. Teenagers often hide or conceal things about themselves from their parents or their friends. Given that, how are Dylan and Eric different from average teenagers? What were Dylan and Eric hiding from each other?

5. Of the many myths debunked in the book, what surprised you the most? After almost 18 years, why do those myths still exist and are assumed to be true?

6. What is the impact of this book? Did the author succeed in providing a comprehensive, candid portrayal of the events leading up to and after Columbine?

7. Looking at the various levels of trust and relationship, is there a pattern to how Eric and Dylan behaved and interacted with others?

8. How are men and women depicted in the book? Are there any stereotypes that can be identified in the book?

9. Did the author, at any time, glorify Eric and Dylan? Did the killers leave the legacy they had intended?

10. After reading Columbine, it is obvious that Eric Harris was the primary force behind the attack, but how did Dylan participate? Was his participation in the attack similar to his participation in the friendship with Eric?

11. Since Columbine, there have been many school shootings. Has society’s reaction to such events changed since Columbine? How does the response to Virginia Tech or Sandy Elementary differ from Columbine?

12. How are the killers’ parents depicted in the book? Does the author portray them fairly and equally or is there an undertone of parental blame?

13. Given the digital age and current privacy issues, how different would this attack have been if committed in 2016 instead of 1999?

14. Can any of the participants be considered heroes? Are any considered scapegoats? Is anyone else responsible for the killings, other than Dylan and Eric?

15. What lessons have we learned since Columbine?

16. Why do you think the Harris family has refused to publically discuss the actions and death of their son? Why do you think the Klebold family has actively and publically discussed the actions and death of their son?

(Questions courtesy of Jennifer Johnson, Springdale Public Library. Please feel free to use them, online or off, with attribution. Thanks.)

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