The Stranger Lesson Plan

Do you think the Arab men deliberately followed Raymond to the beach? Does the fact that Raymond severely beat the sister of one of the Arab men make their action more justifiable? Why or why not?

Some students may believe that Raymond was followed; a few may consider it a coincidence. It's likely to be widely contested whether the Arab men had the right to start the fight with Raymond, and students should make sure to reflect on whether they would have the same take if it were a group of white men. Consider the notions of protecting a family's honor, of many against few, of the documented nastiness of Raymond's behavior towards the woman, and of motive versus action.