Essay Questions

Why does the Guard ask the Kid if he knows him from somewhere?

The Guard is asking the Kid and Donnelly questions about the woman who jumped from the train when he seems to recognize the kid, but can't put the pieces together. As soon as the train pulls off the man realizes he knows the kids face because he's wanted for murder. The Kid has shot his mother the night before in cold blood, and the police are after him.

What is one symbolic meaning of the train in the film?

The train is the setting for the majority of the film. A symbolic meaning is that every passenger on board is heading to the same location, and as death is a major theme in this film it is clear to see that each character is heading inevitably to the grave. In what ways they end up there may vary, but eventually everyone must get off the metaphorical train.

Why is the Woman so upset on the train?

Donnelly has a couple sitting near him who are grieving the loss of their baby, a Man and Woman who had just lost their son the previous night. The Woman is especially distraught as she is unable to deal with the pain of the loss. She is then provoked further to deeper grief and anguish by the Kid, and she believes there is no way out now for her.