My Friend Dahmer

Derf Backderf

Nonfiction | Graphic Novel/Book | Adult | Published in 2012

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Part 2

Part 3-Epilogue

Key Figures

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

“He soon shed his humanity forever. The person I knew became something utterly unknowable.” (167-168)

How does the narrator view Dahmer throughout the novel? Explore his diction (especially his bolded words) in regards to Dahmer.

Creative Assignment: Imagine how Dahmer’s personal journal might look during his high school years and write an entry exploring his inner struggle.

Creative Assignment: Individually or in pairs, research and conceptualize additional panels depicting how Dahmer’s parents react to news of their son’s crimes.

Explore the contributing factors that pushed Dahmer over the edge. Is one factor more to blame than the others? Why?

Explore Part 5: “Fade to Black” and how it compares and contrasts with the rest of the graphic novel.

Explore three splashes and how they relate to Dahmer’s story. What makes them more effective than simple text?

How does Dahmer’s character change during his high school years? Use three examples to support your work.

In what ways does Backderf (the author) frame Derf (the character)? Explore his narration and visual representation of self to support your work.

In what ways does the graphic novel format elevate the telling of Dahmer’s story?

10.

What roles do girls and women play in Dahmer’s story?