The Big Lebowski
by Joel and Ethan Coen
About_
The Big Lebowski follows Jeff ‘The Dude’ Lebowski, a laid-back Los Angeles slacker who is mistaken for a millionaire
of the same name and dragged into a bizarre kidnapping scheme involving ransom money, nihilists, and a missing
rug. Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, the film is a comedic, meandering mystery driven by memorable
characters and offbeat humor. This study guide follows all five parts of the story, from the Dude’s first encounter
with the wrong crowd to the film’s bittersweet, philosophical conclusion. This study guide contains 65 questions
across 5 chapter sections (50 Factual + 15 Critical), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity.
What’s Included_
This study guide features 5 sets of 10 Factual Questions with an answer key (50 total), 5 sets of 3 Critical Analysis
Questions (15 total), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity (8 traits + evidence prompt +
critical thinking question).
Target Grades_
Grades 11-12 (Intro Film Studies)
Teacher Note_
This guide gives students a clear path through a famously winding, cult-classic plot, helping them track the film’s
tangled mystery while opening up rich discussion about identity, ideology, and what it means to just ‘abide.’ The
mix of comprehension and critical questions builds both plot recall and deeper thematic analysis, all ready to use
so you can focus on the discussion itself.