Hidden Figures Book and Movie Discussion Guide
Movie Questions
1. The
opening scene looks like there may be trouble for the three women when their
car broke down in the middle of nowhere. How did the situation
resolve? What did you learn about Dorothy Johnson Vaughn to help
foreshadow her promotion at work?
2. NASA was
divided into the West and East work areas. In what ways were they
segregated?
3. A library
book became the catalyst for worker empowerment. How did this one book
contribute to the computer revolution? How was the book obtained? How far did
it reach?
4. Explain
the attitudes of the men who were engineers towards other workers. How did
these attitudes evolve during the story?
5. Math was
empowering to the main characters. Why? How? Do you think it is still so
important?
6. The home
lives of the main characters were also shown. How did this help humanize the
story against a backdrop of technology and precision?
7. The movie
was set in 1961-62 when civil rights activists were working and demonstrating.
How did the film reflect the reasons why changes were needed in society at
large?
8. The movie
was about 74% factual. A court order was not needed for one person to attend
high school (after receiving a Bachelor's Degree). What were other elements of
the movie exaggerated for dramatic effect?
9. The IBM
computer was necessary at that time. Explain how it helped with
integration.
10. Discuss
some of your favorite scenes or people in the movie. Tell why you especially
liked those.
Title: Hidden Figures: The Untold Story of the
African American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race
Author: Margot Lee Shetterly
Publisher: William Collins
Publisher Website Address: https://corporate.harpercollins.co.uk/
Publisher Email Address: 4thestate.publicity@harpercollins.co.uk
ISBN-10: 0062363603
ISBN-13: 978-0062363602
ASIN: B01MYUTJR7
Price: $9.98 Paperback, $Hardcover $21.99, $12.99 Audio Book, $6.99 Kindle
Page Count: 368 pages
Formats: (PB, Hardcover, Audio Book, Kindle)
1. The
opening scene looks like there may be trouble for the three women when their
car broke down in the middle of nowhere. How did the situation
resolve? What did you learn about Dorothy Johnson Vaughn to help
foreshadow her promotion at work?
2. NASA was
divided into the West and East work areas. In what ways were they
segregated?
3. A library
book became the catalyst for worker empowerment. How did this one book
contribute to the computer revolution? How was the book obtained? How far did
it reach?
4. Explain
the attitudes of the men who were engineers towards other workers. How did
these attitudes evolve during the story?
5. Math was
empowering to the main characters. Why? How? Do you think it is still so
important?
6. The home
lives of the main characters were also shown. How did this help humanize the
story against a backdrop of technology and precision?
7. The movie
was set in 1961-62 when civil rights activists were working and demonstrating.
How did the film reflect the reasons why changes were needed in society at
large?
8. The movie
was about 74% factual. A court order was not needed for one person to attend
high school (after receiving a Bachelor's Degree). What were other elements of
the movie exaggerated for dramatic effect?
9. The IBM
computer was necessary at that time. Explain how it helped with
integration.
10. Discuss
some of your favorite scenes or people in the movie. Tell why you especially
liked those.
