Jojo Rabbit Discussion Questions
1. The film starts with the Beatles’ “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” playing in German
accompanied by a montage of Nazi rallies, celebrations, fanaticism, and indoctrination.
Why do you think this song was chosen here?
2. Why does Elsa cry when Jojo reads her the letter from ‘Nathan’ breaking up with her?
3. As an audience, we see characters from Jojo’s perspective. How is ‘Hitler’ portrayed in
the beginning? How does ‘Hitler’ seem to change throughout the film? What does this
tell us about Jojo?
4. How is Elsa portrayed in the beginning? How does this change? What does this change
tell us about Jojo?
5. It is mentioned that Jojo’s father is fighting in Italy - what do you think is happening?
What evidence supports this?
6. Looking at the people hanging in the square, Jojo asks his mom, “What did they do?” She
responds, “What they could.” What do you think this means?
7. What is the significance of Jojo’s lack of a “lion” at home? How might this deficit affect
him?
8. Why does Elsa go back into the wall when Jojo asks: “Jews also love ugly things, that’s
another thing we learned in school. You love them, yes?”
9. After ‘Hitler’ yells at Jojo not to let his mind be penetrated, Jojo asks him if he’s ugly.
‘Hitler’ responds, “yes.” What do you think is the significance of that?
10.Elsa tells Jojo: “You’re not a Nazi. You’re a ten-year-old kid who likes dressing up in a
funny uniform and wants to be part of a club, but you are not one of them.” How is Jojo
different from Nazis?
11.Elsa looks at herself and says, “I am a dirty Jew,” prompting Jojo to help her bathe. Why
do you think Elsa’s comment affects Jojo so much?
12.What is the significance of Elsa staring into the tiger’s eyes in the painting?
13.Why do you think the director included the scene showing the multiple “Heil Hitler”’s
when the Gestapo arrived? What device(s) is/are being used here?
14.The leader of the Gestapo, Captain Deertz (played by Stephen Merchant, who is 6’7”)
towers over the others, especially Captain K. What could be the symbolic meaning of
this?
15.What’s important about the Gestapo leader telling Jojo, “I wish more of you young boys
had your blind fanaticism?”
16.Why does Captain K hold out his hand first to check Elsa’s passport instead of the
Gestapo?
17.As a character, who does Captain K represent?
18.There are several hints of a secret romance between Captain K and Freddie Finkel. Why
do you think these moments are included?
19.As a character, who does Fraulein Rahm represent?
20.Discuss the significance of shoelaces throughout the film. What do they represent?
21.Why do you think Elsa goes over to sit with Jojo and comfort him after he stabs her?
22.What are some of the reasons Jojo and Elsa become close?
23.In Jojo’s book, there is a picture of a rabbit locked in a cage with Jojo holding the key.
What are some possible meanings of this?
24.‘Hitler’ tells Jojo, “You’re 10, start acting like it.” Meanwhile, his mother says that he is
“only 10 years old.” How is his age viewed differently by different sides?
25.After Jojo discovers his mother in the square, we are shown different shots of windows in
the surrounding houses that look like eyes. What could be the meaning behind this?
26.What is the significance of dancing throughout the film?
27.Why might Waititi have decided to tell the story through the eyes of a child? How would
the film be different if it had been told from an adult’s perspective?
28.The film ends with a quote from Rilke: “Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
/ Just keep going. No feeling is final.” Why might Waititi have included this? How is it
relevant to the plot?
29.What messages/lessons could viewers take away from Jojo Rabbit? Explain.
30.Any other thoughts, questions, comments?