Me and Earl and the Dying Girl learning resource

Character analysis

Use the character response worksheet (below) to dig deeper into the three main characters in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.

Creating character

1. Watch the clip (below), which shows Greg (Thomas Mann) interacting with the different groups and individuals at his school. Think about what this scene tells us about Greg’s character and how this is communicated through narrative elements including: costume; use of light and colour; different shot choices; the way Thomas Mann and the other actors/extras are positioned in the different shots; Thomas Mann's facial expressions, gestures and movements and those of the student characters he moves among; dialogue; sound
2. How are we introduced to Greg? What framing device is used by Greg to introduce the story, and what expectations does it set up in terms of story?
3. Describe some of the social cliques or groups Greg maintains surface-level friendships with, and how Greg’s persona changes with each.
4. What analogy does Greg use when referencing these groups? What does this say about his view of people, groups, and friendship?
5. Even before we find out Greg is a film buff and budding filmmaker, what visual cues do we see that show he has an interest in film?

“Sometimes you’re forcing the audience to be still and go at your pace. You’re changing the pace and the rhythm of the film because Greg’s learning how to be still. You start to feel uncomfortable. I think you get to feel what Greg’s feeling, and the movie is very much Greg. The whole structure of the film, the style of the film is a way of following Greg’s emotional journey.” Alfonso Gomez-Rejon

1. Which elements of the style of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl made the biggest impact on you?
2. What did you find unusual about the style of the film? Explain why it is different from what you are used to?
3. What did you like about the film style?
4. Was there anything you didn’t like?
5. Does the style remind you of any other films you have watched?

Scene analysis

1. Watch the scene (above) where Greg's mother orders him to befriend Rachel.
2. Use the worksheet (above) to make notes about the narrative elements that build this scene. Consider elements such as the use of light and colour, the costumes and set, sound, different camera shots and camera movement, the way that people are positioned in the shot, the actors’ facial expressions, gestures and movements.
3. How do these elements communicate Greg’s emotional state?
4. Watch the scene (below) where Greg shows Rachel the completed film and focus on narrative elements to explain how the change within and between the characters is communicated.

Coming-of-age narratives

As Greg builds his relationship with Rachel and then faces her death, he changes and grows. He learns how to connect with others and deal with challenging situations and difficult emotions. In this way, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is a coming-of-age narrative.

1. Find out more about this film genre and narrative form here.
2. Using the definition provided on the Studiobinder website, explain how Me and Earl and the Dying Girl fits into the coming-of-age narrative structure.
3. Many coming-of-age narratives are set in high schools. How significant is the school setting in highlighting Greg's view of himself and the people around him. What aspects of his life at school reveal that Greg is changing and growing?
4. What other coming-of-age movies have you watched? What elements do they share with Me and Earl and the Dying Girl?
5. Why do you think this is such a popular film genre?

Change

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl takes place during Greg, Earl and Rachel’s final year of school – the year things are supposed to stay the same before everything changes. Instead, both Greg and Rachel’s lives change dramatically during their senior year.

1. Rachel has to come to terms with her illness and the way it affects every aspect of her life. How does she cope with these changes?
2. What about Greg? What changes does he face? How does he cope?
3. As Greg leaves the wake following Rachel's funeral, he carries both the college admission book and a pillow of Rachel’s. What does this say about his mindset moving forward in life? What has he learnt?
4. Read these famous quotes about change:
   – “There is nothing permanent except change.” Heraclitus
   – “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” John C. Maxwell
   – “The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change [their] future by merely changing [their] attitude." Oprah Winfrey
   – “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.” Maya Angelou
   Which quote resonates most with you? Why? Write your own quote about change.
5. Imagine the main characters in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl are writing down what they think about change as a “quote”. Think about what their attitude to ‘change’ might be at the beginning of the film. What might their attitude be at the end of the film? (Rachel's second quote could be a diary entry or in a letter she wrote before she died).

Identity

The characters in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl are trying to figure out what defines them and how to define themselves.

1. Do you think a person’s identity is defined by how they see themselves or how others see them?
2. What other elements make up a person’s identity?
3. How does Greg describe himself when he first gets to know Rachel? Watch the video (below) as a reminder. Compare Greg's description of himself with how Earl describes Greg, and the way Greg’s mum perceives him.
4. What is Rachel’s perception of Greg at the beginning of the film? What does she think of him at the end of the film?
5. What do Greg's interactions with Madison tell us about his sense of self and the way this evolves through the course of the narrative?
6. What does Me and Earl and the Dying Girl have to say about group identity?

Friendship

In Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, Greg forms a deep friendship with Rachel, despite the fact they seem quite different from each other. Greg is fearful of the emotional investment friendship requires but learns to value the rewards that come from connecting with others.

1. Why do you think Greg was so determined to stay separate and alone?
2. What does Greg learn about the judgements he makes about others?
3. How does his friendship with Rachel change him?
4. Describe Greg and Earl's relationship. What impact does the film they create for Rachel have on their connection with each other?
5. Describe a film, TV show, videogame or novel that represents a close friendship in a meaningful way. What makes this friendship valuable and worthwhile?

Death

“Even after somebody dies, you can still keep learning about them. You know, their life. It can keep unfolding itself to you just as long as you pay attention to it.” Mr. McCarthy

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl portrays how confronting and devastating it is when someone you care about dies. However, death is something we all have to cope with at various times in our lives.

1. What message do you think Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is sharing about death?
2. How does Greg keep learning about Rachel after her death? What does he find out about her?
3. Do you think Greg is selfish for getting angry with Rachel for wanting to give up on treatment and accept her death? Explain your answer.
4. Work with a partner. Brainstorm five films that explore the theme of death. What message about death did each of these films convey to you?
5. For thousands of years, artists have explored ideas, feelings and beliefs around death. Read this article about death in art. Focus on one of the featured artworks and explain your response to this work and what the artist is communicating about death.

Grief

One of the main reasons the director of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, took on this project was to help him deal with the loss of his father:

“I found [grief] too abstract to get a handle on. I thought this film would let me give it a shape. I felt I’d be putting myself back together like Greg was. But it was only after the film screened with my dad’s dedication at Sundance that it forced me to talk about it. When I had to start talking about my dad, that became the unexpected second act of this journey. In celebrating him it becomes less about loss and more about the great love.” Alfonso Gomez-Rejon

1. Explain what Gomez-Rejon means by the idea of 'putting himself back together'. Why do you think grief can make people feel they have lost their sense of self?
2. Why do you think Gomez-Rejon found talking about his father helped him deal with his grief?
3. If a friend or family member is dealing with grief or their own illness, what are some ways to support them and get support for yourself?

PLEASE NOTE: If you need to talk to someone after watching the film or as a result of the discussion about death and grief, you can call Kids Helpline. It is a free, confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Call: 1800 55 1800

“The idea ... was we took a film that we like and made the title stupider. And then made a new film to reflect the new stupid title.” Greg

Greg and Earl learn about filmmaking and develop their creativity by making short parodies of famous films.

1. Describe the style of Greg and Earl's home-made films.
2. What do the home-made films add to Me and Earl and the Dying Girl?
3. What do they communicate about the boys' creativity and about their friendship?
4. Choose a film you like and write a new and silly title for it. What kind of film would you make to match or reflect the title? Try planning and making a short movie inspired by your idea. Use ACMI's Homemade homage resource to help you on your way.
5. If you find yourself getting super-serious about filmmaking, check out ACMI's Film It resource.

1. Despite Rachel’s death, there is a sense that Greg is better off for having been friends with her. Explain in detail why this is.
2. "Maybe it’s because they were weird and often violent, like us, or confusing and possibly meaningless, like life." How does this quote about Greg and Earl's films apply to Greg and his journey in the film?
3. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is ultimately about the importance of friendship and closeness. Do you agree?
4. It feels like Greg and Earl’s friendship, despite a dramatic disagreement, will be even stronger in the future. Do you agree? If so, how and why?
5. The film is just as much about Greg coming to terms with his friendship with Earl as it is about his friendship with Rachel. Discuss.
6. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is a fascinating film as it both avoids clichés and relies on them. In what ways does it defy what one might expect from a film with the storyline ‘A boy who avoids being close with anyone is forced to befriend a girl diagnosed with leukaemia’?
7. Though Greg ultimately got to show Rachel the film he and Earl were making for her, it still feels as though there’s a lot unsaid between the two. Write a letter to Rachel from Greg’s perspective, outlining what you think he would say to her if he had the chance.
8. Write a personal reflection exploring the kinds of things people may not know about you. What hidden talents, interests or attitudes do you possess that most people, even those close to you, might not know about?