Although many of the attitudes and values of the novel remain firmly situated in the 1950s, because of the timeliness of its subject matter, the novel really does not read as a period piece.

Although urban schools have become much worse than the fictional North Manual Trades High School many of the same problems that Hunter depicted remain current today, as do the issues the novel raises about the difficulties of teaching in the inner-city.

Also, since the book raises all sorts of social questions about post-war American society, many of which remain with us today, the book can evoke a lively discussion of contemporary problems.

1. What issues raised by The Blackboard Jungle remain with us?

2. View the film of the novel and discuss how the movie highlights the events and issues of the novel differently. What does this say about how Hollywood treats social problems...