Oedipus
Who are Oedipus’s biological parents?
Who are Laius and Jocasta?
This man, suffering from anterograde amnesia, uses tattoos and Polaroids to piece together the truth about his wife's death.
Who is Leonard Shelby?
This fragile, illusion-loving woman arrives in New Orleans to stay with her sister Stella.
Who is Blanche DuBois?
This ruler of Thebes declares that Polynices must not be buried, setting the central conflict in motion.
Who is Creon?
In baseball, this term refers to a pitch that the batter doesn’t swing at but remains within the strike zone.
What is a called strike?
What prophecy does Oedipus try to avoid when he leaves Corinth?
What is that he will kill his father and marry his mother?
Christopher Nolan tells Memento using this unusual structure, where scenes unfold in reverse order to mimic Leonard’s memory loss.
What is a non-linear (or reverse chronological) narrative?
This city—hot, noisy, and full of life—serves as the primary setting for the play.
What is New Orleans?
This concept, represented by Antigone’s insistence on burying her brother, is shown to be more binding than the laws of men.
What is divine law?
This Olympic sprinter holds the men’s world record in the 100-meter dash, set in 2009.
Who is Usain Bolt?
Why does Oedipus become angry with Tiresias, and what does this reaction reveal about Oedipus’s character?
Who is Tiresias?
This type of object becomes Leonard’s primary tool for remembering people and places, each labeled with short, often cryptic notes.
What are Polaroid photographs?
This character’s suspicion and aggression toward Blanche drives the central conflict of the play.
Who is Stanley Kowalski?
This sister hesitates to help Antigone and symbolizes obedience and caution in contrast to Antigone’s bravery.
Who is Ismene?
This international tournament, held every four years, is the most-watched sporting event in the world.
What is the FIFA World Cup?
The audience knows Oedipus is Laius’s killer long before he does, creating this dramatic effect central to the tragedy.
What is dramatic irony?
This theme—central to the film—questions whether personal truth matters more than objective fact, as Leonard chooses what to believe.
What is the subjectivity of truth?
Blanche avoids bright light to maintain this symbolic aspect of her character.
What is her fragile illusion / her fading beauty?
This act, performed by Antigone despite Creon’s decree, is considered both a religious duty and a political rebellion
What is burying Polynices?
This NBA team won six championships in the 1990s under coach Phil Jackson.
What are the Chicago Bulls?
Scholars debate whether Oedipus falls because of destiny or his own choices, such as killing a stranger at this fateful location.
What is the crossroads?
This character, a bartender with her own motives, manipulates Leonard by taking advantage of his memory condition.
Who is Natalie?
Blanche’s final breakdown highlights this major theme, contrasting the harshness of reality with the comfort of self-created fantasies.
What is the conflict between illusion and reality?
His death—after losing Antigone—serves as a turning point that forces Creon to recognize the cost of his stubbornness.
Who is Haemon?
Known as “The King,” this golfer holds the record for most PGA Tour wins with 82 (tied with Tiger Woods).
Who is Sam Snead?