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Participation Assignment: Talk Radio

Due at start of class on Mon 11/16/09. This assignment must be printed out (or neatly hand-written). Your name, date, and "Talk Radio" must appear at the top of the page. Answer the following questions as thoroughly as possible. You must support each of your answers with examples from the film. If you cannot recall the names of specific characters, refer to them by their job, or by the situations, behaviors or actions in which they were involved.

1. What issues of racism and sexism appear in the film? How does Barry confront these?

How does he contribute to them? Is he a racist or does he just like to instigate trouble? Is there a difference?

2. What interesting ways does Barry use verbal language? How does he use language to

criticize or hurt others; how does he use language to praise or help others?

3. What does Barry say to the caller who brings up the novel The Turner Diaries
and "the lies about the Holocaust"? How does he react to this caller?

4. What verbal and non-verbal threats are made against Barry? Why?
How do these threats relate to the ways that Barry treats his listeners, co-workers,
bosses, girlfriend, and ex-wife?

5. What is Barry’s self-concept? What do you believe his self-esteem is?
How might these impact his communication style? What self- disclosure does he engage in
near the end of the film? Why?