The Sixth sense discussion questions

1.  Early in the movie, we discover that Cole's parents recently divorced. He’s attached to things that belonged to his dad (the glasses, the broken watch, and the gloves he wears because the house is so cold). Similarly, within Cole’s "tent," he has a set of religious statues. What do you think motivates him to collect these things? How were these things helpful to him as he dealt with "the ghosts" or with his classmates? When has physically holding onto something helped you get through a difficult time? I think he uses these objects as a self defense mechanism since he doesn't have any other self defense. Also when I was younger I would sleep with stuffed animals to keep me feel secured from danger, and thats what cole is doing with his tent full of religious statues.

2.  Think about the day in the classroom when Cole objects to the way his teacher is looking at him. Talk about the feeling Cole has of being a freak, of being told he doesn’t fit in. Even if you don’t know anyone who thinks they see dead people like Cole did, can you identify people you've met or seen who others might consider freaks who don't fit in? What does this movie have to say regarding our treatment of others who may feel as though they don’t fit in? I don't identify with anyone who thinks they're a freak, but some students have been treated like they are freaks, and I don't think it is fair for kids to feel this way because everyone is human.

3.  Does Cole realize from the very beginning that his psychologist is also a ghost?  What details support your answer to this question? I think so because he tells him that he can't help him with his problem, and doesn't explain why but just says that he knows he won't be able to help him.

4.  What finally helps Cole deal with his encounters with the dead? Is that different than what might help us deal with our encounters with the living? (Remember the question that is asked throughout the movie: Do you have something to tell me?) What helps cole is him being able to help these ghosts with their problems, because they are coming to cole for help. I think people could help each other with their problems, but no one has the real answer to the problems.

5.  When Cole and Dr. Crowe are finished with their sessions together, Cole says to his mom "I’m ready to communicate with you now--to tell you my secrets." What changed in Cole so that he was finally able to talk to his mom more openly? When you have fears or secrets, whom can you tell? I think since he opened up to Malcolm, he feels like he can talk to his mom, especially since he has messages from his grandma that he wants to share with his mom. Usually when i have fears or secrets i can tell my close friends and also my mom, similarly to cole because he talked to his mom, and he talked to Malcolm, and he became friends with him.

6.  Dr. Crowe asks Cole, "If you could change something, anything--what would it be?" What would you change in your own life if you could? I would change how social I am. I think i could have a lot more friends and better opportunities if i wasn't so shy. My friends are always prying me to go to events, and i wish i was more social so i could get myself to do more things, but i just protect myself.