The Minority Report

Choose one of the three main characters—Anderton, Witwer, or Kaplan—and analyze his character trajectory throughout the story. How might these characters parallel the three precog prophecies presented in “The Minority Report”?

Philip K. Dick has been known to include self-insert characters and autobiographical content in his later writings. Is there such a character present in “The Minority Report”? If so, who? If not, defend your position.

Lisa and Donna are the only female characters present or referenced in this story. How might their roles and characterizations reflect Philip K. Dick’s attitude toward women, and/or the perception of gender roles during the mid-20th century?

Philip K. Dick is considered a very influential science fiction author, and his writings anticipated many of the social and technological changes that have occurred during the 20th and 21st centuries. What parallels do you notice between his writing and contemporary society and/or technological developments?

How would contemporary society view Anderson’s precog and Precrime systems? If such a system was possible, would it—and should it—be adopted by law enforcement agencies and/or the military? Why or why not?

The theme of predestination versus free will plays a large role in Anderton’s murder case. What is Philip K. Dick’s viewpoint on this theme, and how does he express this stance? Do you agree with his stance? Why or why not?

There are many layers to Philip K. Dick’s stories, and “The Minority Report” is no exception. Many times throughout the story, Anderton becomes suspicious that other characters have set him up or “rigged” the system. Do you agree with this description of the situation? Who, if anyone, is/are the villain(s) in the story? Is Anderton truly innocent of any and all murderous intent, as he claims at the beginning of the story (80)?

Analyze the background characters in “The Minority Report.” What is their function in the story? Do they serve as expressions of a theme or literary device? Are they markers for shifts in a character arc? Should they be considered major characters in their own right? Defend your position.