Student version

It’s a Wonderful Life Online Worksheet

Write brief answers during viewing. Use character choices and scene evidence for your analysis.

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Before viewing

1. What can a counterfactual story help a viewer examine?

2. Why might a person’s contribution be difficult to recognize?

Part A · Ambition and responsibility

3. What does George’s childhood rescue of Harry establish?

4. How do George’s travel ambitions shape our understanding of him?

5. Why does he remain involved with the Building and Loan?

6. How does Potter’s view of the town differ from George’s?

7. How does George’s relationship with Mary complicate the idea of sacrifice?

Part B · Community under pressure

8. What happens during the bank-run sequence?

9. How does Mary’s contribution affect that crisis?

10. What does the development of homes suggest about community opportunity?

11. Why does the missing deposit become a crisis for George?

12. How does Potter exploit the situation?

Part C · A changed perspective

13. How does George’s distress affect his interactions at home?

14. What does the alternate Bedford Falls allow him to notice?

15. Why is the alternate world an argument rather than evidence from real history?

16. What do the neighbors’ actions at the end demonstrate?

After viewing

17. Which ordinary action has a large effect in the film’s argument?

18. How does the film complicate success as wealth or travel?

19. What limitation should accompany discussion of the hopeful ending?

20. How does one repeated image, sound, or setting reinforce community?

Final written response

How does the film show a person’s value through relationships and choices? Write a paragraph with a clear claim, evidence from two scenes, and reasoning. End with one limitation of the film’s portrayal or one question for further study.

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