The Breakfast Club Essay Questions

What role does authoritarianism play in The Breakfast Club?

As one of the film's major themes, authoritarianism plays a significant role in The Breakfast Club. Defined as the imposition of strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom, authoritarianism is explored by Hughes primarily through the character of Vice Principal Vernon, who oversees the students' Saturday detention. Vernon seeks to assert his authority by imposing unreasonable demands on the students, yelling at them to remain still and maintain silence for the next eight hours. In every interaction, Vernon adopts this tough demeanor towards the students, viewing them as troublemakers whose liberty must be curtailed. However, his attempts to command respect ultimately falter, as the students can discern the facade and perceive the underlying insecurity that drives Vernon's need for unwavering compliance.

What is the significance of the cigar burn on Bender's arm?

The cigar burn on Bender's forearm is significant because it serves as a symbol of parental abuse. When Bender mocks Brian's parents, portraying them as picture-perfect, the other students inquire about Bender's own parents. He impersonates his father, depicting him as cruel and prone to violence. However, Andrew doubts the authenticity of Bender's claims. In order to substantiate his portrayal, Bender reveals a circular patch of scar tissue on the inside of his forearm. He explains that it resulted from his father deliberately burning him with a lit cigar as punishment for spilling paint in their garage. The group falls into silence as they absorb the significance of the physical abuse symbolized by the burn.

What role does bonding play in the film?

In The Breakfast Club, bonding plays a crucial role as one of the film's major themes. At the start of the story, the only commonality among the five students is their shared experience of serving a full-day detention on a weekend. However, they quickly discover that they share similar feelings, which stem from challenging life circumstances. As they open up about their resentment towards their parents and their yearning to escape the pressures of teenage life, a deep understanding develops among them. Many of the students feel secure enough to display vulnerability and cry in front of one another. By the film's conclusion, the group solidifies their bond by jointly submitting a single essay, authored by Brian, as a statement against Vernon. This act further underscores their newly formed connection. Additionally, Hughes emphasizes the newly kindled relationships between Claire and Bender, as well as Allison and Andrew. As with the greater sense of community generated within the groups, these emotion- and communication-based relationships transcend the social divisions that once bound the students to different cliques.

What is the significance of the elephant lamp that earns Brian a failing grade in shop class?

The elephant lamp project Brian fails to complete correctly is significant because it is a symbol of hubris—an excessive sense of self-confidence. Toward the end of the film, Brian reveals to the group that he received detention because a flare gun accidentally discharged in his locker. He further discloses that he had contemplated using the flare gun to end his life because he was failing shop class. Brian had taken shop class under the assumption that it would be an easy way to earn an A, only to discover it was his most challenging subject. When Brian's ceramic lamp doesn't light up, he is given an F for the project. This unexpected failing grade forces Brian to confront his overestimation of his own intellect, which he had believed to be superior to that of the average shop student.

What is significant about the essay Brian leaves for Vice Principal Vernon?

The essay Brian writes on behalf of The Breakfast Club students is significant because it is a symbol of rebellion and defiance. When their detention begins, Vernon instructs the students to write a one-thousand-word essay on the topic of "who you think you are." The purpose of the essay is to make the students confront their excessive confidence, which led them to violate school rules. Despite Vernon's authoritarian posturing, the students disregard the essay task and instead establish connections with one another. Towards the end of the movie, Vernon retrieves the single essay written by Brian on behalf of the group. Brian challenges the essay's premise, informing Vernon that they have come to realize that each of them is a brain, a princess, an athlete, a basket case, and a criminal. Through these labels, Brian ridicules Vernon's simplistic perception of each individual, and undermines his authority by refusing to express remorse.