The Book of Eli - Discussion Guide

 
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Summary

The Book of Eli is set 30 years after the world has been ravaged by nuclear war. Law and order have collapsed, fresh water and food are scarce; few people remember the world as it once was. The story follows Eli (Denzel Washington), a lone traveller with a mission. He is carrying a copy of the Bible, believing that he has been charged by God with protecting it. It is probably the last copy in the world, after people destroyed all the Bibles they could find, blaming it for causing the war.

Only those alive before the war remember the book and its power. Carnegie (Gary Oldman) is one of these survivors. Using hired thugs, he has established himself as ruler over a small town. He searches tirelessly for a copy of the Bible, hoping to use it to tighten his control on people. When he realises that Eli has what he has been looking for, he does everything he can to try to get it from him. But Eli will do anything to protect the book, even to the point of killing those who try to take it from him.

Background

The Book of Eli is the latest film from the Hughes brothers, whose last film was the Jack the Ripper thriller, From Hell (2001). The Book of Eli displays their love of graphic violence, which may unsettle some viewers. The film received a number of positive reviews and it currently has a rating of 47% positive on Rotten Tomatoes.

Questions for Discussion

1. What were your expectations about The Book of Eli? Were there any surprises in the way the story developed?

2. Carnegie says that the Bible is, 'A weapon aimed right at the hearts and minds of the weak and the desperate. It would give us control of them.' What do you think of the way Carnegie wants to use the Bible?

3. When Eli is threatened by the thug in Carnegie's bar, Eli responds by telling him, 'You are going to be held to account for the things you have done'. How does this idea of judgement after death make you feel? 

4. Eli: 'People had more than they needed. We had no idea what was precious and what wasn't. We threw away things people kill each other for now.' How much does the world Eli describes have in common with our world?

5. How do you feel about the way prayer features in the film? What do you think the purpose of prayer is?

6. Eli: 'I got so caught up with keeping it safe, I forgot to live by what I learnt from it.' How do you respond to the contrast between Eli's claim to be on a mission from God, and the violent way he protects the Bible?

7. A number of times during the film, Eli ignores those in need, muttering the words, 'Stay on the path; it's not your concern.' How does this attitude make you feel? How well do you think this fits with the way the Bible teaches us to act?

8. In one of the final scenes of the film, we see the newly printed Bible being placed on a shelf alongside other religious texts such as the Talmud and the Qur'an. What does this suggest the filmmakers' view of the Bible is? What is your opinion of the Bible among other religious texts?

9. Eli: 'It's faith, it doesn't have to make sense.' What do you think of Eli's understanding of faith?

10. The Bible says that 'faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see' (Hebrews 11:1). What do you think of this definition of faith?

11. Eli is motivated by the deep conviction that he is on the right path, being guided and protected by God. The Bible offers us a firm hope that we can have confidence in, the hope of eternal life with our creator. What it would take for you to have this confidence?

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