The Bridge on the River Kwai

Part 1
Chapter 1: Colonel Nicholson
1. For what purpose are the British soldiers brought to
their current location?
2. It has been assumed by many that a “gap” exists
between the East and West. What do you think is the
nature of this gap?
3. How does the author feel about this supposed “gap?”
What basic human “need” does he focus on in order to
illustrate his theory?

4. What are the four main character traits that Major Clipton finds in Colonel Nicholson?
Taken together, in Clipton’s opinion, these traits allow Nicholson to be described by only
using one word. What?
5. Why did Nicholson forbid his men to escape capture by the Japanese?
6. What character traits are revealed by Nicholson’s preparation for surrender? What
evidence is there to suggest this? How do the Japanese respond?
7. How were the British prisoners ordered to behave after becoming prisoners of the
Japanese? Why did Nicholson feel that this was necessary?
8. Their colonel was sometimes harder on them than the Japanese. Why would the British
prisoners obey him as much as they did?

Chapter 2: “Be happy in your work...”

1. After their surrender in Malaya, the British prisoners were sent to Siam. What difference
did they notice with the Japanese soldiers guarding them?
2. In what condition were the British prisoners who were in Siam prior to the arrival of
Nicholson’s men?
3. What did Nicholson notice about some of the
British officers? How does he feel about this?
4. According to General Yamashita, the British
should be thankful to the Japanese? Why?
5. According to Yamashita, what is the best way
for a prisoner to remain healthy?
6. What is General Yamashita’s motto?

Chapter 3: Colonel Saito

1. What decision did Colonel Saito make that started all the trouble with colonel Nicholson?
2. What argument did Nicholson use in an attempt to get Saito to change his mind?
3. What did major Clipton hear about Colonel Saito’s personality?
4. Describe Saito’s speech to the prisoners.
5. Why is Colonel Saito such a bitter man?
6. How do the prisoners react to Saito’s tirade?

Chapter 4: Showdown
1. After some thought, Colonel Saito informs the British of his decision: the British officers
will do manual labour alongside the enlisted men. How does Colonel Nicholson react to
this?
2. What is Colonel Saito’s response to Nicholson’s reaction? Why does he respond this
way?
3. The incident between Saito and Nicholson escalates to the point where others present
almost become involved. Explain.
4. What did the Medical Officer, Clipton, fear was about to happen? Why did he think this?
5. How does Clipton intervene? How does Nicholson feel about the intervention? Do you
think Clipton’s actions averted a tragedy?
6. What eventually happens to Colonel Nicholson?

Chapter 5: Dr. Jekyll

and Mr. Hyde
1. How is Colonel Nicholson being treated by the Japanese?
2. How does Major Clipton feel about Nicholson’s stubborness?
3. What do you think Clipton meant when he wondered “whether it would not be best to
ask God to crown this dangerous lunatic with a martyr’s halo and admit him into His
kingdom as quickly as possible.”
4. Why does Clipton compare Colonel Saito to the infamous Jekyll and Hyde?
5. What does Clipton feel that Saito is afraid of? Why?
6. Almost as a last resort, What does Saito do to try to convince Nicholson to give in to
him? What is the result of Saito’s efforts?

Chapter 6: Surrender
1. What had the British prisoners been doing as they were supposedly working on the
bridge?
2. How did the Japanese react to these actions?
3. Did the Japanese response change anything with the prisoners? Please explain briefly?
4. What deal did Saito try to make with the prisoners?
5. Who eventually wins the struggle between Nicholson and Saito? What evidence is there
of this?

Chapter 7: Nicholson Inspects The Work

1. What does Colonel Nicholson discover when he inspects the work on the railway line
that his men have been doing?
2. A British corporal, being questioned by Nicholson, makes a conspiratorial gesture. What
was it, what did it mean, and how did Nicholson respond to it?
3. How does Captain Reeves feel about the proposed Japanese invasion of India if they
were to use this railway line to do it?
4. What does Colonel Nicholson plan to do about the entire situation?