Dunkirk Essay Questions

Where does Dunkirk take place?

Dunkirk is the name of a small city in the north of France, near the Belgian border and the English canal. The city was an important place in France during the Second World War when the German forces separated the British troops from the French ones. The British troops were forced to retreat onto the beaches of Dunkirk while the German forces attacked the perimeter each day, leading to the necessity of a mass evacuation—the subject of the film.

What does it mean to be shell-shocked?

Mr. Dawson claims that the soldier they found on a sunken ship is shell-shocked as an explanation for why the man is unresponsive and violent. In more modern terms, the idea of being "shell-shocked" describes a person who was traumatized by the events he or she saw in the war. It is often used as an umbrella term that makes reference to different psychological ailments resulting from the traumas of witnessing the atrocities of war, and has slowly been replaced by the more clinical term PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder, used to define a plethora of maladaptive behaviors.

What is unique about the structure of the film?

Dunkirk is very similar to many of director Christopher Nolan's other films in that it jumps around in time and weaves together several narratives. While this is not immediately evident, the fact that the structure goes from night to day and back again eventually shows the viewer that the structure is not strictly linear. Additionally, when we see the shell-shocked soldier on the lifeboat as a captain in the army, we realize that the film is going back in time back before the soldier has gotten shell-shocked. The non-linear nature of the script is expertly crafted and makes the film that much more nuanced and satisfying to watch, as we slowly piece together how each of the separate stories connect.

What elements of the production (beyond the script) of the film contribute to the storytelling?

One element of the film that helps the viewer understand the emotional stakes viscerally is the score by acclaimed composer Hans Zimmer. Nearly every moment of the film is accompanied by the string-heavy, dissonant, and emotionally rich musical landscape of his composition. The music helps the viewer to understand the emotional repercussions of a historical event that is far in the past and perhaps difficult to connect to. Additionally, the cinematography is stunning and authentic, with the beauty of the landscape and the shots striking a contrast with the suspenseful and often tragic events of the film.

Why is Dunkirk unique among films about war?

Dunkirk is unique in the genre of war films because it explores an event in which the goal was evacuation rather than heroism. The heroism that the characters in the film display is not taking place on the front lines. Rather, it is of a more subtle variety, as soldiers from different backgrounds, civilians, fighter pilots and naval commanders all do what they can to keep their own safe. The simplicity of the plot—in a word, the attempt to keep everyone alive—as well as the film's exploration of the ways that simple acts of sacrifice and nobility could have huge effects, make Dunkirk unique.