Discussion Questions
Thanks to Lauren Sommerfield of The BWB Bookclub, Massena, New York, for submitting her questions:
1. How does the tone of the book change from beginning to end? Do you feel differently about the author's message in different stages of the book?
2. Does Dr. Rubin Carter's struggle appear to be an internal struggle or an external struggle? Why?
3. If wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life in prison, do you think you would have chosen to "fall in line" of the prison system to make your time there easier, or been defiant like Dr. Carter, to fight for your innocence and freedom?
4. Dr. Carter believes many people and groups of people are to blame for wrongful conviction: investigating police officers, lawyers, judges, American society in general. Who do you think is to blame for wrongful convictions? What is something that could/should be changed to prevent it?
5. Did anything presented in this book change your opinion about capital punishment? Does it change your views on the interrogation process and the possibility of false confessions?
6. Dr. Carter describes instances in the book of different, specific, spiritual awakenings he has experienced. What do you make of these spiritual awakenings? Are they a result of past events or were they meant to help him with future events? Are they a coping mechanism?
7. Dr. Carter believes much of society is "asleep". Do you agree? Do you believe our country is more "asleep" than others?
8. Do you believe Dr. Carter's time in prison was worth it for him since upon his release he was and is able to help so many others in the same situations?
9. How do you think his life would be today had he been acquitted of all charges and never sent to prison?
10. Would you ever turn yourself in for a crime you committed knowing you would spend years in prison? Would you ever turn your child in for a crime they committed?
(Questions submitted by Lauren Sommerfield of Massena, New York.)
Eye of the Hurricane (Carter) - Discussion Questions
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