On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
Teacher Text Guide and Worksheets
for
On the Waterfront
directed by
Elia Kazan
© Angie Barillaro, Radiant Heart Publishing, 2010
1
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront
Introduction
Elia Kazan‟s film „On the Waterfront‟ was released in 1954. It is based on a series of
award winning articles about‟ Crime on the Waterfront‟ - exposing the corruption in the
Longshoremen Union, prevalent in the 1940s and 1950s and beyond.
The scene in the taxi with Terry and his brother Charlie is seen as one of the great
cinematic moments in history, remembered by all. There is a sense of power behind
that scene as most people can identify with the feelings that life should have worked out
better for us or that we have failed to live up to our dreams. There is disappointment
and disillusion in all of our lives.
Kazan won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando)
Best Supporting Actress (Eve Marie Saint), Best Screen play and Best Director. It has
remained a classic ever since.
About the Director - Elia Kazan
Elia Kazan was born in 1909 in Istanbul and had Greek parents. At the age of four Elia
and his family moved to New York.
Appalled at the lack of equality in America, Kazan joined the American Communist
Party for two years as a young man. Kazan directed both films and plays.
In 1952, during the American obsession with Communism, Kazan testified at the HUAC
(House of Unamerican Activities) that he had been a communist in the past - and
named eight others. This controversial action remained with him for life.
2
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront
Basic Historical Content
-
After World War Two, the United States began to focus on the differences
between itself and the Soviet Union (Russia)
-
Russia was a Communist country (since 1917)
-
USA was capitalist and democratic
-
Tensions began to rise in what was known as „The Cold War‟
-
In 1948 all non communists were expelled from Czechoslovakia (Communist)
-
Berlin Blockade 1948/1949
-
Soviet Union was becoming strong
-
China became Communist in 1949
-
By 1950 fear of communism was rife in America
-
Senator Joseph McCarthy, under the House of Un-American activities was key in
spreading paranoia regarding communist infiltrators.
-
He had a pattern of putting people on trial without any evidence
-
People were „blacklisted‟
-
To some extent in „On the Waterfront‟, Terry is Elia Kazan
-
After many years people realized how inappropriate „and unfounded the HUAC
trials had been and McCarthy was discredited.
How do you think fear and paranoia spread in a community?
3
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront
Comprehension Questions
Scene one - On the Waterfront
1.
What does the opening shot of the film suggest?
2.
Discuss the impact of the music by Leonard Bernstein.
3.
How do we know who the power holders are?
4.
What is Terry‟s task?
5.
Described the surrounds and living conditions.
Scene Two - Joey‟s Fall
1.
Why was Joey killed?
2.
To what extend is Terry guilty for Joey‟s death?
3.
How do we learn the community has lived in fear for a long time?
4.
What are our first impressions of Edie?
5.
Why are people reluctant to co-operative with the police?
Scene Three - On the Inside
1.
Who are the men in the back room of Johnny Friendly‟s Bar?
2.
How to they relate to Terry?
3.
Why is Terry not keen to take the money?
4.
What is the symbolism of the rooftop and the pigeons?
5.
Why is a day‟s work so tough?
Scene Four - The Shape-Up
1.
How are the Waterfront crime investigators received by the workers?
2.
What is the code of „DnD‟?
3.
“If we don‟t borrow, we don‟t work”. What might that mean?
4.
Who is Big Mac and why is he important?
Scene Five - The Union Explained
1.
Explain the corruption of the Waterfront Union.
4
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront
Comprehension Questions
Scene 6: Safety
1.
How are men like Terry rewarded?
2.
Describe the Church meeting.
3.
What do the men think of Father Barry?
Scene 7: Mob Attacks
1.
Why does the mob attack the Church?
Scene 8: Park
1.
How are Edie and Terry different?
2.
Whose side is Terry on, when Edie asks “which side are you on?”
3.
How is the atmosphere of the Waterfront captured in this scene.
Scene 9: Edie and dad
1.
Why does her father want Edie to go back to Saint Anne‟s?
Scene 10: Rooftop
1.
Who are the Gold Warriors?
2.
Why is Terry looking after Joey‟s pigeons?
Scene 11: Terry and Edie
1.
What do we learn about Terry‟s view of life as he talks with Edie?
Scene 12: Wedding
1.
How does Edie realize Terry was involved in her brother‟s death?
Scene 13: Threats
1.
Why is Terry threatened to stay away from Edie (Joey‟s brother)?
Scene 14: Death of Dugan
1.
Why was Dugan killed?
2.
Discuss the effect of the high angle shot of this scene.
5
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront
Comprehensive Questions
Scene 15: Sermon
1.
Why does Father Barry see the recent deaths as crucifixions?
Scene 16: Confession
1.
Why does Terry confess his involvement?
Scene 17: Another Confession
1.
What is Edie‟s reaction to Terry‟s confession?
2.
How does the background noise heighten the tension in this scene?
Scene 18: Kid Brother
1.
What position is Terry‟s brother Charlie placed in by John Friendly?
Scene 19: In the Car
1.
How was Charlie let down by his kid brother?
2.
What „offer‟ or bribe is made to Terry if he does not testify?
3.
What choice does Charles make and what will it cost him?
Scene 20: “Terry!”
1.
Discuss the lady‟s comment when she hears Terry being called: “That‟s the same way they
called Andy, the night I lost him.”
Scene 21: Revenge
1.
What is Terry‟s response to seeing his death brother‟s body?
6
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront
Chapter 22: Truth
1.
How does Father Barry convince Terry to testify instead of killing Johnny Friendly?
Scene 23: Trial
1.
Describe the scene at the courtroom, and Terry‟s evidence.
2.
Who is Mr. Upstairs?
Scene 24: On the rooftop
1.
Why is Tommy killing pigeons?
2.
On the pier, “everybody works” except Terry – discuss the tension in this scene.
Scene 25: Confrontation
1.
Why are the other longshoremen against Terry?
Scene 26: Fight
1.
Describe the fight between John Friendly and Terry.
2.
How do we known John Friendly has lost is power over the longshoremen?
Scene 27: Walk
1.
What is the importance and power of this final scene?
2.
Comment on Father Barry‟s statement to Terry “you lost the battle, but you have a chance to win
the war”.
7
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront
Visually, or in writing show the most important scenes of the film.
8
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront
Research - Investigate and take notes about McCarthyism and HUAC in the triangle
below.
Writing Task: Discuss the connection between Elia Kazan‟s HUAC experience and
Terry Malloy in „On the Waterfront‟.
NOTES
1
.
.
2. .
.
3.
4.
5.
6.
8.
9.
9
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront
Characters
Terry Malloy
easy going
gentle/sensitive
inarticulate
uneducated
physically strong (former boxer)
a pawn
naïve
malleable/vulnerable
Father Barry
educated/articulate
courageous
determined
concerned/caring
voice of the people
Edie Doyle:
outsider
soft/protected/innocent
inner strength
kind
naïve attitude to life
Writing task:
Find quotes and key events to highlight these key characteristics for each character
above.
10
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront
Other characters:
Johnny Friendly
violent/powerful
selfish
corrupt
the spokesperson for Mr. Upstairs
Charley Malloy
emotionally complex
“Charley the Gent”
educated/refined
materialistic - “butcher in a camel hair coat”
father figure to Terry
unlived potential - passes onto Terry
Mr. Upstairs
The BIG BOSS who controls Johnny Friendly
Joey Doyle
Murdered as he had testified
Pop Doyle
Edie and Joey‟s father, Victim of “Dnd‟
Timothy Dugan
„Kayo‟ - murdered so he would not testify
Mrs Collins
Five years earlier, her son Andy was also killed
Big Mac
power to hire and fire dockworkers
Johnny Friendly
Thugs - Tullio, JP, Truck - enforces corruption
Detective Glover
Not accepted - little power
The Longshoremen
Were real people/non actors adds to realism/oppression

Task: Find one quote for each of the characters above
11
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront
Extension Questions
1.
Would the film have been as successful in colour?
2.
At the end of the film, do you feel that the corruption was defeated? Discuss.
3.
How important was Edie in the film?
4.
To what extent was Father Barry successful?
5.
Why do the likes of Charles get involved in corruption?
6.
What do you imagine happened to Johnny Friendly?
7.
Describe the values of the community.
6.
Analyze the scene in the back of the taxi with Charley and Terry.
9.
Why was the film so successful with audiences?
10. What is expected of „men‟ in this film?
11. How is Terry an anti-hero?
12. In what ways is Terry a contradiction?
13. „A pigeon for a pigeon‟ says Tommy. What does he mean?
14.
How does Terry move from “I don‟t know nothing. I ain‟t seen nothing and I‟m
not saying nothing”?
12
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront
Text Essay Topics or Extended Responses
1.
Father Barry and Detective Glover are out of their depth in understanding the
harsh realities of life on the docks. Discuss.
2.
All his life, Terry Malloy was a stool pigeon. Discuss.
3.
Charlie could have been someone too. What went wrong?
4.
There is something wrong when men who work this hard yet are still struggling to
make ends meet. Discuss.
5.
There will always be a Johnny Friendly and his mob, somewhere, sometime.
Discuss.
6.
Gangs exist because of the power of male bonding and the need to belong.
Discuss.
7.
Corruption destroys communities and individuals. Discuss.
8.
As long as people put themselves first and do not count the human costs corruption will always exist. Discuss.
9.
Is the power of the individual standing alone against bigger powers a myth?
Discuss.
10. Ultimately „On the Waterfront‟ is an inspirational but unrealistic film. Discuss.
13
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront
Character Questions- Think of 8 interesting questions for your characters and answer them as
they would, or swap with a classmates questions.
Character
Question
Character‟s Answer
14
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront
Character Motivation Grid Worksheet
 What makes us do the things we do?
CHARACTER
TERRY
EDIE
CHARLIE
JOHNNY FRIENDLY
FATHER BARRY
ACTION MOTIVIATED BY?
EVIDENCE?
15
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront …Themes
1.
2.
Power and Corruption - Mr. Upstairs represents the power behind corruption. At
the end of the film, how confident are we that the corruption will disappear?
-
the cost of power/corruption is too high
-
the working class hard working men, are all victims of corruption
-
crime appears to pay for the thugs but only at the cost of the community.
Religion - Faith
Fr Barry likens testifying to doing what Christ did even it means „crucifixion‟ for the
greater good.
3.
4.
-
Father Barry‟s relevance? How important is the Church to these men?
-
Charlie sacrifices himself/lets Terry go.
-
Fr Barry brings his Church outside to where the men‟s lives are.
-
Is Terry Christ like?
Individual Conscience - Terry Malloy goes from self-centeredness to
understanding the importance of the bigger picture and morality
-
from between protection of John Friendly and Edie‟s world of good/justice
-
difficult decision must be faced for the Terry‟s in this world
-
Terry internally conflicted about his role in bringing Joey to the rooftop
Family - At first Terry feels he belongs to “Uncle Johnny” - like his family - also
with his big brother, but realizes the price is too high.
-
the longshoremen are a community/family
-
loyalty - raise money to help Joey‟s dad
-
people will do many things in order to belong
-
Edie, Pa and Joey are a close-knit family
- loving, sacrifices made
Writing Task: Use an A4 sheet for two of the above themes and add details and quotes.
16
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront
Film Notes
-
The film‟s genre is realism
-
It was filmed on location Hoboken, New Jersey
-
Filmed in stunning black and white - had the look of Italian „neo‟ realism films
-
Real longshoremen were used in the film, so they were all genuine looking
-
The weather was very cold, adding to the harshness of life depicted
-
Many of the real sounds of the waterfront ships, trains etc. were captured adding
a gritty realism
-
The film was shot in 36 days
-
Accompanied by a powerful musical score by Leonard Bernstein
-
Documentary approach to the film, adds authenticity and realism
Other Notes
1.
Writing Task: Write a film review focusing on the film techniques used
2.
How do these film choices impact on our understanding of the film?
17
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
18
On the Waterfront …Essay Scaffold 1
Topic: „I coulda been somebody…a contenda.‟ Terry Malloy‟s transformation from aimless „bum‟
to whistleblower means that in the end he really did „become someone‟. Discuss

Turn this sample outline essay plan into your own essay – with or without your own changes:
Introduction
Opening: introduce author and text and key words of essay topic.
State main contention in relation to essay question. Paraphrase topic sentences
Paragraph 1
It is safer to remain „deaf and dumb‟ especially as taking a stand to speak out against injustice will
lead to being ostracized from the community.

The appalling stranglehold the corrupt waterfront union has on the trade on the docks is
evidenced by the lengths they will go to – murder – to maintain their power and status quo

Community lives in fear, film opens with the death of Joey Doyle who has been killed for giving
evidence to the Police

Code of silence is strong – Father Barry and Edie encounter this barrier

Close-ups of the hardworking men and families of other victims emphasise their terror of
speaking out; Kazan‟s use of realism captures the down and out workers

Set in Hoboken, New Jersey and shot as trade was going on- with many of the extras were
actual dock workers -adds to the grimy, oppressive feeling of the film
Topic sentence
Paragraph 1
Explanation
and Evidence
Paragraph 2
Topic sentence
Paragraph 2
Explanation
and Evidence
Paragraph 3
Topic sentence
Paragraph 3
Explanation
and Evidence
Paragraph 4
Topic sentence
Paragraph 4
Explanation
and Evidence
When we first meet Terry, his is just a „stool pigeon‟ for the mob, not really aware of the darkness
he is part of, and shocked at the death of Joey.

That Terry does not comprehend that Joey was to be murdered and is stunned when it happensforces him to wake up to himself and what is really going on

Initially, Terry is not discerning, but is forced to make a stand against Johnny Friendly

Terry develops a sense of moral justice before our eyes, encouraged by Father Barry and Edie

Evidenced by his pigeons on the roof

He seems to see Johnny Friendly as a „fatherly figure‟ yet we see how violent and aggressive
Johnny really is

Edie helps reawaken the more gentle side of Terry‟s nature, to make him realize how he has
been associating with the wrong side
Without justice and accountability, it is possible for an entire community to live at the mercy of a
small group of corrupt individuals.

Blind loyalty is dangerous and it encourages people to give away their power and be led by
others

Unions should protect their workers not feather their own nests

Any organization that is not accountable is prone to corruption as the dockyards show

Clear that the profits were being enjoyed by the gravy men who did little to no work

Despite working so hard, the workers were poorly compensated
Terry Malloy realizes that he „coulda been somebody‟, but his choices were taken away from him
and without the freedom to choose or at least contribute to our life choices, our life is not our
own.

Terry‟s plea to his brother Charley „You shoulda looked out for me‟ is the moment when Terry
realizes the price he has paid

His life has been reduced to that of a „stool‟ pigeon, used by the likes of Johnny Friendly to lure
Joey so that he could be murdered- the low point of his life

By taking a stand Terry is redeemed and offers hope to his fellow workers. At the end of the film
he is everyone‟s hero and the future looks better

Terry rejects the „cushy‟ job offered by Charlie; we see he is following the moral path.
Restate contention in an original way
Conclusion
*Add relevant quotes to each paragraph – Note this is one way to tackle this question*
On the Waterfront – Teacher Text Guides and Worksheets – Radiant Heart Publishing
On the Waterfront …Essay Scaffold 2
Topic: Unquestioning loyalty and blind obedience leads to a loss of power and openness to
oppression and manipulation. Discuss

Turn this sample outline essay plan into your own essay – with or without your own changes:
Introduction
Opening: introduce author and text and key words of essay topic.
State main contention in relation to essay question. Paraphrase topic sentences
Paragraph 1
Loyalty is a noble characteristic but not when it is used to control and manipulate individuals as
is the case with the dockyard unions.

The union demands total loyalty yet its number one priority is to take care of a few like Johnny
Friendly

Symbolism birds is powerful- Terry loves his pigeons for their loyalty, and being on the roof for
the sense of freedom

Killing the pigeons is a powerful symbolic attack on Terry‟s lack of loyalty to the Union

Violence and fear is part of the culture, yet it comes full circle when Johnny Friendly is led to
jail – one of his biggest fears

Mr. Upstairs is a nameless, faceless representation of the extent of the corruption and that
when Johnny Friendly goes…someone else will step in
The loyalty of the waterfront workers is rewarded with oppression and monopoly and the price
they must pay is silence against corruption.

Kazan‟s stark black and white photography of New Jersey is enhanced and obscured by the
omnipresent fog presents a bleak city; this is reinforced by the accompanying dramatic music

The men appear gaunt and shabby, desperate and afraid

Workers have to „pay‟ for the privilege to work, so their security is tenuous

The setting is realistic and the film genre is realism/ documentary style enhanced by the fact
the script is based on a series of newspaper probes/articles by Malcolm Johnson (1949) on
the Longshoremen Union corruption

Focus was on intimidation, standover tactics, murder and extortion– being used by the Union
Given the closed „deaf and dumb‟ ethos of the waterfront community, it took tremendous
courage to take a stand and speak out against the oppression.

Edie and Father Barry show great perseverance in standing up to the Union and trying to find
clues in the community

„What‟s ratting for them is telling the truth for you‟

Terry sees that Edie and Father Barry are fighting for a worthwhile cause

Charley also makes a noble choice when he decides to take the fall for his brother

He goes from being „the butcher in a camelhair coat‟ to one who displays love for the brother
he feels he has betrayed.

Terry faces derision from the community when he gives evidence- ostracized

Friendly organizes for him to be brutally bashed

The crowd changes from being against Terry to sympathizing and respecting him in the last
scenes of the film
Terry Malloy comes to realize the true cost he has paid for his blind loyalty- it has been at the
expense of his individuality and freedom of choice.

Terry‟s plea to his brother Charley „You shoulda looked out for me‟ is the moment when Terry
realizes the price he has paid for his blind loyalty was too high

He could have been an excellent boxer

The Union uses Terry for their own means.

Terry realizes that his loyalty to the likes of Johnny Friendly is misguided as he is evil

He is now implicated in the murder of Joey which weighs heavily on him

Falling in love with Edie opens Terry‟s heart to a more gentle way of being as she asks
„shouldn‟t everybody care about everybody else?‟

Kazan presents Edie, Terry and Father Barry as fighting the good cause, even if it is pain-filled
and slow
Restate contention in an original way
Topic sentence
Paragraph 1
Explanation
and Evidence
Paragraph 2
Topic sentence
Paragraph 2
Explanation
and Evidence
Paragraph 3
Topic sentence
Paragraph 3
Explanation
and Evidence
Paragraph 4
Topic sentence
Paragraph 4
Explanation
and Evidence
Conclusion
*Add relevant quotes to each paragraph – Note this is one way to tackle this question*
19