Thirteen conversations about one thing

What insights are provided by characters in "Thirteen Conversations About One Thing" in relation to the elusive nature of happiness?  Explore those insights and assess their worth.

• 13 Conversations is a fascinating look at the intersecting lives of a group of mostly unhappy New Yorkers
• suggests that the lives and destinies of seemingly unconnected people may be linked in some fundamental, perhaps even metaphysical way
• For that matter, happiness is the subject of every conversation we ever have: the search for happiness, the envy of happiness, the loss of happiness, the guilt about undeserved happiness.

John Q’ Questions

John’s problem begins with the refusal of the insurance company to fund his son’s transplant? What are your thoughts on this as an ethical issue?

This issue is so hard to judge because of corse everyone should be entitled to the health care they require if they have private health care. But in this case there are so many people that need to get on the transplant list that are in the same situation.

John’s response is to take people hostage. Would John’s response be consistent with Hooker’s three legged stool model or Fletchers’ situation ethics framework? Explain.

What does the paramedic think of doctors? Why?

He thinks they just want money, because they don’t do their job for all that need it, they only take care of people that pay.

Why does nobody have any sympathy for the man who sprays pepper spray in John's face?

Because it was obvious that he abuses his girlfriend.

Why does the woman with the baby describe John as "a very good man"?

Because he still took care of all the hostages.

John's wife says, "I support him in everything he does." Should she?  Could she justify her response on the basis of Hooker’s model or Situation Ethics?  Explain.

How ethical is the media’s response?

The medias response is so unethical as they broadcast personal moments but this is what gets the child on the transplant list, so it worked in their favor

Why is the crowd on John's side?

Because they believe in the cause, it’s something to support

John offers his own heart. Is he crazy? Or should he just "let go" and "accept" it?

He isn’t crazy, he’s desperate. He is willing to take his own life so his son can live as he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he could’ve saved him.

Would it cross a line for the doctor to take John's heart and transplant it?

It’s hard to say, if it’s what John wants and the doctor is willing it shouldn’t be crossing the line, it’s just the fact that its ‘take a life to save a life?’

The Help

As the women's stories emerge, what examples of suffering do we see?
When seeing the way they are treated, good or bad. Such as women being handed down the family and becoming the families 'property'. As well as someone buying land so that their maid can walk across it to get to them and not be threatened by the previous land owners.

How did the women respond to this? Give some examples.

They were all shocked buy both good and bad stories, replying to them with tears or sighs.

What part did their Christian faith play?

The african american men and women were always shown attending church and being quite religious. For example the main character Aibileen says she writes down her stories after writing down her prayers. 

How did you respond to the issues raised in the movie?

Seeing the issues in this movie of how it use to be was quite upsetting, seeing that equal people were treated so badly and with such disrespect was shocking.

Pain and Suffering

Paris & Japan:

• desensitised 
• doesn't shock me any more
• as its a first world country people feel more sympathy, we don't hear about the third world countries
• there are people to blame such as terrorists - natural disaster 
• it shows that no matter who you believe in or who your God is when your in a situation such as a terrorist attack or natural disaster your no more important than the stranger next to you