Memory Ch 10 - Memento

Memento -

How would you evaluate the way Leonard's character is presented in the movie? Do you think his illness is characteristic of what one might observe in the 'real world'? How typical is Leonard compared with other amnesic patients we have discussed in class or in the text? How is Leonard atypical (body art aside)? Given what you know about the brain, how might you characterize the injury that Leonard suffered? Is this consistent with what Leonard's character reports in the movie?

These are a few questions that struck me (some related to memory, others not) as I watched the movie. Feel free to discuss any that interest you, or to propose your own...

1. What about Leonard's behavior seems far-fetched based on what we know about typical amnesiacs?
2. What about Leonard's behavior seems plausible based on what we know about typical amnesiacs?
3. How did Leonard's memories from before the accident (of his wife...of Sammy) strike you relative to what you might expect from these remote memories?
4. What will Leonard do now that Teddy is dead?
5. Is Leonard a cold-blooded killer, or a damaged individual looking to avenge his wife's death?
6. Who is Leonard talking to on the phone?
7. Why does Leonard burn his wife's things?
8. Don't you think Teddy displayed a remarkable lack of foresight when he chose to put Leonard on the trail of people named John G?  How could he not realize that decision would come back to haunt him?  Why not John D?  There have to be a lot of John D’s in the world, no?