The Boys in the Boat Essay Questions

What was Germany's main objective as host of the Olympics?

The response should discuss Germany's goal of disguising what was really going on regarding their treatment of the Jewish people and how they wished to create a "set" that would show the world that Germany was not what they thought it was. It was a massive propaganda effort to deflect attention from the Nazi party's destruction and allow them to continue to persecute ethnic groups within Germany.

Why are trust and vulnerability critical for a boat to succeed, and do you believe this to be true?

The answer should mention Pocock's quote about being part of an orchestra rather than in it for himself and how each member needs to trust the rest of the boat completely. Once each member is able to be vulnerable with the boat, they are able to support each other in new ways and enable one another to go further than they could go alone. This is especially true for Joe when he first joins the varsity boat, and it's also true leading up to the Olympic preliminary heat.

From what the book suggests, do you think rowing is more a mental or physical endeavor? Why?

Responses that argue it is more of a mental endeavor should mention the ways in which members have to keep their mind in the boat and eschew all distractions. They must trust their teammates completely. They also must be able to push past the limits of pain and go further than they thought their bodies could go.

Responses that argue it is more of a physical endeavor should mention the intense workouts that the teams have to go through and the lengths of the races, as well as the screaming muscles and joints that are an essential part of crew.

Why does Joe feel whole at the end of the Olympics?

Joe has finally given himself completely to the other boys in the boat and learned how to trust them completely. This was especially difficult for Joe after being abandoned multiple times at formative points in his life.

What is the relationship between race and sport?

This answer should touch on the idea of racial supremacy and how many whites thought they were smarter and stronger than other races. Sports broke this down on individual levels as athletes of color became successful in their sports.