Vertigo

  Vertigo

    Part Ten : The Inquest


Before Watching
After the fall

What do you think will happen to Scottie now?

How do you think Gavin feels about Scottie

What will they say at the inquest?


While Watching

  • Why does the judge think that Scottie was a "proper choice" of watchdog for Madeleine?
  • Does the judge blame Gavin for any of his actions?
  • What does the judge congratulate Scottie for?
  • What does the judge say Scottie did after Madeleine's death?
  • How does Scottie explain this behaviour?
  • What does the judge ask the jury to take into account before declaring theirverdict?
  • What is the jury's verdict?
  • Does Gavin blame Scottie?
  • What does Gavin plan to do now?
  • Who does Gavin mean when he says "you and I know who killed Madeleine"?

    After Watching

    Read the following account of the last part of the scene and explain what is meant by the underlined words:

    Although foul play is discounted, the coroner presents the jury with a final conclusion while verbally criticizing Scottie. The jury quickly reaches a decision - "The jury finds that Madeleine Elster committed suicide while of unsound mind." Following the inquest, Elster apologizes for the harshwords of the coroner and consoles Scottie after the verdict:

    "Sorry Scottie, that was rotten. He had no right to speak to you like that. It was my responsibility. I shouldn't have got you involved. No, there's nothing you have to say to me. I'm getting out Scottie, for good. I can't stay here. I'm going to wind up her affairs, and mine, and get away as far as I can. Europe perhaps. I probably never will come back. Goodbye, Scottie."

    Created and Maintained by: Graham Stanley
    All Lesson Plans Copyright Graham Stanley, 1999
    ...but feel free to use them with your classes.

    Vertigo Home ||| Part 11 ||| Links