Films about Human Behavior

“Groundhog Day”

“No matter what happens tomorrow…I’m happy now”

Write your response to the following questions on a separate piece of paper. You may
discuss it with your neighbors first, but write your own answer. Always write in complete
sentences.

1. Read the article “The Five Stages of Grief”. For each of the five stages, name the scenes
from the film and/or the behaviors that Phil Conners displays that show he is in that
stage:

a. Denial: Phil doesn't want to believe that he is repeating February 2nd over and
over again. We can see an example of his denial in the scenes where he asks the
same people what day it is and hoping for them to tell him something different.

b. Anger: An example of Phils anger is the scene where he punches Ned because he
thinks he's playing a joke on him.

c. Bargaining: An example of Phil bargaining is the scene where he tries to help a

bunch of people and tells them there's a blizzard coming and they should leave.

d. Depression: An example of depression is when Phil tries to kill himself multiple

times. Specifically the scenes with the toaster in the bathtub, walking in front of a
car, etc.

e. Acceptance: Phil realizes that he can't stop reliving the same day so he spends his
time trying to help other people. Specifically when he tries to stop an old man
from dying.
2. There are many recurring motifs in the film, obviously. Pick one of the following and
explain how it is used to show Phil’s transition through the stages of grief:

a. The clock: The clock represents time, but in Phils world time doesn't exist. The
alarm goes off every morning at 6 am and plays the same song. Each morning
Phil wakes up to the clock and goes through the different stages of grief. In one
scene when Phil wakes up and hears the same announcement again he is in denial
and thinks they are playing the same one from yesterday. In another scene Phil
shows anger when he breaks the clock multiple times. Each time Phil is woken up
to the alarm he is going through a different stage of grief.
b. The radio announcers’ dialogue/commentary
c. Ned Ryerson
d. The bed & breakfast and it’s guests
e. Phil’s Groundhog Day News Report

3. Describe Phil’s character and personality at the beginning of the film, on the eve of and
during the first Groundhog Day. Why do you think he is so cynical, sarcastic, and mean?
In the beginning of the film Phil doesn’t seem to really care about other people and is
sarcastic and mean. I think he’s this way because he's selfish. As the film goes on Phil
becomes less cynical and starts appreciating the time he has, because he has taken it for
granted.

4. Describe Phil’s character at the end of the movie. How does he break the spell? How has
he changed? How did he become nice and friendly? Phil starts off using these repeated
days to fill out his own selfish needs. One of those needs is Rita who he manipulates
instead of loving her. But once he changes his attitude and is sincere towards Rita he
wakes up the next day in bed with her. Which breaks the cycle of his groundhog day.

5. Describe the relationship between Phil and Rita. Why was Rita upset with Phil in all the
scenes when she slaps him? Why does Rita finally want a relationship with Phil at the
end of the movie? How did Phil change in her eyes/opinion? Rita slaps Phil because she
can see that he is trying to seduce her with bad intentions. By the end of the movie Rita
wants to be in a relationship with Phil because she can see that he’s had a change of heart.
His intentions become sincere towards her instead of selfish.
6. What is ironic about the scene in the bar/bowling alley with Gus and Ralph? Why do we
only see this scene once? Phil asked two local men what they would do if they had to live
the same day over again. One of them answers that every day nothing matters for him.
One of the men tells Phil that he is a glass half empty kind of guy. This is ironic because
Phil doesn’t listen to the man and continues to be negative which is what I think got him
stuck in the loop in the first place.

7. What is significant about the old man? Why does he die no matter what Phil does? How
does this help Phil change and grow towards the resolution, the breaking of the spell?
What's significant about the old man is that he continues to die no matter what Phil does
to try to prevent it. although no matter what he does the old man still dies, it teaches him
a lesson. Even though the old man dies, Phil becomes friends with him and gives him a
meal and companionship before he passes. This teaches him that life is precious and to
appreciate the moments that life has to offer.

8. What did Phil have to learn before he could return to normal life? i.e what do you think
the theme could be, what is the message about human behavior? I think the main theme
of this film is to showcase how much our attitude affects our lives. If we choose to live
life with a negative mindset then we will live a negative life. Which is exactly what
happens with Phil. I think it’s also important to note how important it is to appreciate
what we have and how we choose to spend our lives. As soon as Phil started to value the
people in his life the cycle was broken.