•The gangs of Five Corners lived with little hope. What contemporary parallels do you see in this or other cultures?
•Do you find any examples of “honor among thieves?” Are any redeeming values depicted?
•Several models for father/son relationships are present in the film. What was good or bad about each one?
•What meaning, if any, is there in the fate of “The Butcher”?
•Does good triumph over evil in any sense in this film?
•When “Jenny” (Diaz) manages to leave New York for a more hopeful future, “Amsterdam” (DiCaprio) lets her go without him. Was this a noble or a foolish act on his part?
•Did Amsterdam’s character learn anything of value in the course of the story?
•What part does pride have in the key decisions of the three main characters?