The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier - Book Club Discussion Questions

Oprah picked The Measure of a Man, Sidney Poitier's spiritual autobiography, as her first book club selection for 2007. Does your book club want to study The Measure of a Man? Use these book club discussion questions to guide you through Poitier's memoir.

Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions on The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier may reveal important details from the novel.

1. How was growing up on Cat Island different than growing up in our country today? How did Sidney Poitier's childhood shape him?

2. How did Sidney Poitier's awareness of racial tension change as he moved from Cat Island to Nassau to the United States?

3. Sidney experiences a "time of ashes" during his first two years in New York? What does this mean? Have you experienced any time of ashes in your own life?

4. From where does Sidney get the title of his memoir?

5. Describe Sidney's relationship with his family and how that has influenced him.

6. What does Sidney teach you about anger over injustice? Have you ever felt the sort of rage he describes?

7. How does Sidney feel about his work? Are you that passionate about anything?

8. What Sidney Poitier movies have you seen? How did this book change your opinion of him? Did the roles he chose reflect his true self?

9. Rate The Measure of a Man on a scale of 1 to 5.