essay breakfast club

‘The Breakfast Club’ (Brian): “Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club”

THE BREAKFAST CLUB by John Hughes

From : Movie

Type : Dramatic

Character : Brian Johnson is funny, smart and "sort of a nerd"

Gender : Male

Age Range : Late Teens

Summary : Brian writes a letter to Mr. Vernon in the closing monologue of the film.

More: Watch the Movie

Click Here to Download the Monologue

Brian: Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. But we think you’re crazy for making us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us… In the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain, and an athlete, and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal… Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.

More Monologues from ‘The Breakfast Club’

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Sincerely Yours, The Breakfast Club

BRIAN: Dear Mr. Vernon. We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. What we did was wrong, but we think you’re crazy to make us to write an essay telling you who we think we are. What do you care? You see us as you want to see us: in the simplest terms, the most convenient definitions. You see us as a Brain, an Athlete, a Basketcase, Princess, and a Criminal. Correct? That’s the way we saw each other at 7 o’clock this morning. We were brainwashed. – Opening monologue, The Breakfast Club (1985)

Above is one of the most famous monologues in film history. This is the tale of how it almost never was… or, at least, how it was almost never famous .

Floating around online is an early draft of The Breakfast Club script (PDF link). There is no date attached, nor does it specify exactly which draft it is: the front page is entirely missing. It is, however, significantly different to the film which made it to the screen. Detailing even the major changes is a task for another day, and would involve comparing the script not only with the final film, but also the deleted scenes on the recent brand new Blu-ray release .

But I thought comparing that opening monologue to the one in this unspecified draft might be fun. Let’s take a look at it…

…what’s that? It isn’t present in the film’s opening at all?

Yes, that famous opening monologue is entirely missing. There’s other images which made it into the final film, of the “rare tour of a high school at dawn on a Saturday”: the ‘Senior Spirit Soars’ banner, the graffitied locker. But the monologue – and its link with the imagery of the computer room, changing room, etc – is completely absent.

So, the question you’re presumably asking now: is the same monologue present at the end of the film in this draft? The answer is yes… but perhaps not quite how you’d expect.

Firstly, let’s remind ourselves of the version of the monologue in the final film, as it’s actually slightly different to the version at the beginning. 1

BRIAN: Dear Mr. Venon. We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. But we think you’re crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us: in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain… ANDY: …and an athlete… ALLISON: …and a basketcase… CLAIRE: …a princess… JOHN: …and a criminal. BRIAN: Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, The Breakfast Club.

Now, let’s take a look at how that moment is scripted in the earlier draft:

CLOSEUP – VERNON He’s puzzled by the paper. It’s not at all what he expected. We hear, one by one, the kid’s voices fade up, beginning with Brian. BRIAN (V.O.) Dear Mr. Vernon… We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. But we think you’re crazy to ask us to write an essay telling you who we think we are. What do you care? You see us as you want to see us. John’s crazy and bad, Cathy’s beautiful and spoiled 2 , Andy’s strong and mature, Allison’s looney tunes and Brian’s brilliant. That’s pretty much how we see ourselves. What we found out, sir, was that we’re all crazy and bad and beautiful, and spoiled and strong and mature and looney tunes and brilliant. Take it or leave it… Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.

The basics are there… but stripped of any power at all. The descriptions of our heroes are just that: descriptions, not archetypes . “Beautiful and spoiled” is nothing compared to “a princess”. Moreover, part of the power is those archetypes being spoken in the first person: this early draft keeps those descriptions resolutely in the third, distancing us from everything we’ve just watched. Hell, even the sheer rhythm of the speech feels all wrong.

In rewriting, John Hughes turned the speech from something normal into something extraordinary. And by adding the monologue to the beginning of the film too, he not only increased its power tenfold, but gave the film a structure it previously lacked. As originally scripted, we simply meet our characters, and start the detention. In the final film, we immediately want to know the answer to the big question: what will our gang discover about themselves throughout the film?

It’s easy to get attached to the first draft of any writing, whether it’s something as complex as a screenplay, or just a short blog post. We all know that redrafting our work is the key to making it better. And yet emotionally, it’s sometimes difficult to force ourselves to do what needs to be done. We can all occasionally get attached to thinking our first stab at something is “pure”, and any subsequent attempt to improve it could ruin things.

The truth: if John Hughes can’t get it right first time, there’s no reason to think you have. And if he’d stuck to his first draft here, we’d have lost out on one of the single best moments of 80s cinema.

The art of writing is in the rewriting. That’s the cliche. But the above is the proof.

UPDATE (11/02/22): Hello there! This page gets a ludicrous amount of Google love, for reasons I have yet to ascertain. But if you enjoyed this, please take a look around the rest of the site, especially this stuff I vaguely think is quite good . Or don’t, y’know. But you can’t blame a guy for trying.

Which is weird logistically, but perhaps not emotionally .  ↩

It’s commonly known that Claire in the film was originally called Cathy. I find it pleasing to actually see proof of it in the early script draft, though.  ↩

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One comment

RW on 8 December 2023 @ 7am

A year ago, you marveled at how much people come here and read this entry. I’d say it’s the same reason that we still come back and put that DVD or Blu-Ray in the tray and watch the movie. It’s the same reason why we punch our hands in the air to Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” every time we hear the song play. Like John Hughes creation, you’ve struck a nerve. Oh, not that instant, sharp throbbing pain of smacking a funny bone or something of that nature, but more of the nerve laid bare by revelation of our own Breakfast Club moment. Like Brian writes, “ …we found out is that each one of us is a brain… and an athlete… and a basketcase… a princess… and a criminal.” It revives something deep inside that many never even realizes is still inside us. I don’t find it surprising at all that people continue to find your page. Don’t you forget about you.

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“The Breakfast Club” Film Analysis Essay

Developmental stages depicted by the main characters in the film, what was realistic and unrealistic about the movie’s portrayal of the stages, effects of the film on society’s view of these stages of development, how has the movie affected my view of development in the stages represented, challenges faced by the main characters, applying the knowledge gained from the movie to my daily life, reference list.

The film “The Breakfast Club” tells the story of five students who have developed different stereotypes (Hughes, 1985). One of the developmental stages depicted by these characters is Sigmund Freud’s “Adolescence to Adulthood Stage.” During this development stage, “the teenager experiences a re-emergence of sexual opinions and interests” (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2012, p. 48). Erik Erikson refers to this stage as the “Fidelity: Identity vs. Role Diffusion Stage.” The person becomes aware of his or her social roles (Feldman, 2013). As well, the adolescent might fail to identify the appropriate parts in his or her life.

The movie’s portrayal of the stages is realistic. As the film depicts, adolescents are concerned with their image. The individuals ponder the activities and roles they might play as adults (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2012). As well, adolescents want to establish boundaries and redefine their world. This also plays a critical role in “a teenage rebellion against their parents and authority figures” (Shaffer, 2008, p. 58). For example, Andrew Clark explains why he hates his father (Hughes, 1985). Most of the characters in the film have developed strained relationships with their parents. The students also realize they are similar to each other. This explains why (and how) adolescents rebel against any authority. They also form their stereotypes about the world around them (Feldman, 2013).

The film portrays Allison Reynolds as a pathological liar (Hughes, 1985). Andrew Clark appears to have a strained relationship with his father. Brian Johnson is someone who has contemplated suicide (Hughes, 1985). The film explains how the characters are afraid of making mistakes. The characters befriend one another and even kiss. Teenagers also make “uninformed decisions because they face different challenges in their lives” (Shaffer, 2008, p. 74). However, the film’s portrayal of John Bender is unrealistic (Hughes, 1985). For example, Bender is a criminal and has an antagonistic relationship with the teacher. Every drug addict will develop a strained relationship with his teachers or parents.

The society’s view of the stages of development is critical because it helps its members address most of the challenges affecting the youth. The film’s depiction of the stages of human development can help parents establish the best relationships with their daughters and sons. The society can use the film to deal with different stereotypes affecting its people. The film helps society to examine and address the issues affecting the youth. The movie explains why (and how) adolescents face difficulties in their lives (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2012). They develop their impressions about the world. This affects their decisions and ideas. The film can also deceive the youth to take drugs such as marijuana and cocaine.

This film by John Hughes has changed my view of development in the stages presented. The film informs the audience about the nature of the challenges faced by the youth (Shaffer, 2008). I will encourage my relatives and friends to watch the film because it presents the best ideas about these stages of development. The film also explains why teachers and parents should be ready to help their children. The approach will help them realize their goals and cope with the challenges affecting their lives.

To begin with, Andrew Clark dislikes his father (Hughes, 1985). This arises from poor parenting styles or inability to form his identity. John Bender is from an abusive family. This explains why he faces the challenge of poor parenting styles. The challenge has also made him a criminal. Brian appears to face personal challenges because he has thought of committing suicide (Hughes, 1985). The film also portrays Claire as a virgin (Hughes, 1985). She also comes from a strict family. Allison and Claire have been unable to create a friendship with the other teenagers.

Most of these challenges are typical in the stages of development. A child who lacks proper parental love will always be troubled. This is why Bender uses drugs. Adolescents from strained relationships with their parents. This is the same case for all the characters in the film. Such challenges will always affect individuals negatively (Shaffer, 2008). Parents and guardians should be aware of these challenges to help the affected children. The film portrays Brian Johnson as someone who has encountered a unique challenge in his life (Hughes, 1985). The character becomes discontented and unhappy. Brian contemplates suicide and develops a negative view of life.

I will always apply the knowledge gained from the movie to my daily life. I will analyze the ideas carefully to make the best decisions in my life. I will always focus on the positive side of every stage of human development (Crain, 2011). The movie encourages me to address most of the problems affecting my life. The film will also help me as a parent. These ideas will also guide my children throughout the major stages of development.

Crain, W. (2011). Theories of Development: Concepts and Applications . Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

Feldman, R. (2013). Development Across the Life Span. New York: Pearson.

Hughes, J. (Executive Producer). (1985). The Breakfast Club [DVD]. New York, USA: Universal Pictures.

Kail, R., & Cavanaugh, J. (2012). Human Development: A Life-Span View. Cengage: Cengage Learning.

Shaffer, D. (2008). Social and Personality Development. Cengage: Cengage Learning.

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Screen Rant

25 best quotes from the breakfast club.

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15 Best Teen Movies That Aren't Rom-Coms

10 best brian johnson quotes in the breakfast club, 10 best mr. vernon quotes in the breakfast club.

• John Hughes' iconic teen dialogue in The Breakfast Club still resonates with fans today.
• The film's heartfelt quotes explore self-image, pressure, and the struggles of adolescence.
• The characters in The Breakfast Club challenge stereotypes and reveal their true selves through memorable lines.

John Hughes was a master of writing teenage dialogue and The Breakfast Club quotes remain incredibly memorable for that reason. A tale of five students undergoing detention on a Saturday, this movie was an immediate sensation for teens and general audiences everywhere. It became regarded as one of the definitive movies of the 1980s as it's easy to relate to at least one of the film's characters, if not more. They each get plenty of memorable lines as they joke, argue, and begin to reveal their true personalities and anxieties.

The best Breakfast Club quotes still hit home for many movie fans. While some of the movie's humor and cultural references might be a little dated today, the heartfelt sentiments shared between the characters as they bond due to their forced proximity still strike a chord. Whether they're about self-image, social pressure, or just witty banter, the best Breakfast Club quotes are a timeless reminder of why John Hughes' writing is held in such high regard and why The Breakfast Club is still a movie that has its scenes recreated for a parody or homage even today.

While rom-com is the popular subgenre for teen movies, there are plenty more that focus on mystery, horror, or fantasy.

25 “Well Brian, This Is A Very Nutritious Lunch."

John bender.

"All The Food Groups Are Represented. Did Your Mom Marry Mr. Rogers?”

It's an iconic scene when the kids all pull out their lunches and the eclectic meals speak volumes about all of their lives and personalities. Claire (Molly Ringwald) has her perfectly arranged sushi, Andrew (Emilio Estevez) is eating like he's training for a triathlon, Allison (Ally Sheedy) constructs a fascinatingly gross sandwich out of what appears to be Pixy Stix and cereal, and Bender (Judd Nelson) decides to eat with Brian (Anthony Michael Hall).

Bender hasn't brought any food, resulting in this brilliant Breakfast Club quote as he critiques Brian's wholesome lunch. This is a rough spot where Bender shows his bullying ways , and Brian is mostly oblivious to the entire situation. However, when Bender pulls out a note where Brian's mom tells him to study hard and loves him, Bender is cruel and shows a very unlikable trait as he becomes relentless.

24 “I Am The Eyes And Ears Of This Institution, My Friends.”

Mr. Vernon is remembered as the authority figure who is so hard on the teenagers in detention, but there is another adult in the school with them when they have Saturday detention. That is Carl (John Kapelos), the janitor. He’s the one responsible for keeping the entire high school clean - and seemingly, the only one. He’s a little more observant than Mr. Vernon , and he understands that teenagers and school officials are not going to see eye-to-eye, something he even voices to Mr. Vernon at one point.

Carl seems more amused by the antics of the teenagers than anything else. This comes into play later when Carl talks to Mr. Vernon and he clearly sees the troubles the teacher is going through mentally, and he understands the problems the kids are going through. In the end, Carl is right — he might be the wisest character in the entire movie because he watches everyone.

23 "You Know, I Have Just As Many Feelings As You Do, And It Hurts So Much When Someone Steps All Over Them."

Claire standish.

One of the running themes in The Breakfast Club is that the teenagers only think they know one another. What they really know is the images projected by one another to fit into their particular cliques. Bender repeatedly refers to Claire as cold or even frigid early in the movie, but she eventually points out that she has feelings just like everyone else does. Over the course of her time in detention, she becomes more vulnerable, and loosens up to be honest with everyone, saying some things that everyone in the room, and in the audience, can identify with.

Claire's quotes reveal there's more to her than her just being the most popular person in town. It is also a hint at what she reveals later when she laments about how hard it is to always look perfect when she knows she isn't and when she just wants to be a normal teen — something her parents won't allow and something she doesn't even understand how to do.

22 "Sweets, You Couldn't Ignore Me If You Tried."

John Bender might be one of the most beloved characters in the movie, but his Breakfast Club quotes prove that he’s not exactly a nice guy. His rebellious nature leads him to lash out at those he doesn’t like and to try to get under the skin of those he does. When he takes an interest in Claire , he repeatedly insults her, needles her with remarks that he knows she doesn’t like, and won’t allow her to just ignore him.

He very much has the attitude of a little boy pulling the pigtails of a little girl on the playground to get her attention. It’s immature, and in the confined space of detention, it doesn’t win him any favors until he starts being less antagonistic with the others. This is early on and he eventually warms up to the others, but he needs to show his dominance first, if only for his own satisfaction.

21 “I’ve Seen Her Dehydrate Sir, It’s Pretty Gross.”

Andrew clark.

Though the teenagers in the library might not initially get along, they are united in hiding their antics from the authority figures in the school. When they ask to be able to get water, go to the restroom, and things like that just to get out of the library, Mr. Vernon (Paul Gleason) isn’t interested in letting them. Andrew backs Claire up, deadpanning this line about having seen Claire dehydrate in the past.

It’s not going to be the most memorable line against some of the other quotes from The Breakfast Club , but Emilio Estevez’s delivery of Andrew's line is perfect. It is also funny because Andrew might be the jock, but he is also one of the most uncomfortable when it comes to talking to others and understanding how to carry on a conversation. As a jock, he is mostly used to small talk, and when things get intellectual and confrontational, he is stilted and uneasy, and this quote is a nice example of his awkward manner of fitting in.

20 "Why, Because I'm Telling The Truth? That Makes Me A B***h?"

Claire gets a lot of insults from the rest of the group because she’s seen as cold and unfeeling. Claire, however, also appears to understand the cliques of their school better than anyone in the room. She understands the fears they all have of not fitting into their respective friend groups, of being ostracized by the student body for not sticking to the status quo. She’s the only one willing to point out that despite the bonding in Saturday’s detention, none of them will be hanging out together at school the next week.

For that, the others think she’s being callous, but with how well everyone sticks to their roles, she’s likely right. There is very little chance these five will ever do anything together in the future. They are likely never to talk again, although they might give each other familiar nods along the way. Claire knows that they will go on with their lives, but this doesn't mean they won't learn something. It just means they won't connect again in the real world outside of detention.

19 “Eat. My. Shorts.”

Bart Simpson might be known for using this particular phrase to taunt other characters in The Simpsons , but he’s far from the only pop culture character to use it. In the 1980s and ‘90s, the phrase was a fairly common insult that was considered PG, marking The Breakfast Club as a product of its time. The term almost feels out of place since The Breakfast Club isn’t afraid to use more colorful language or curse words even in some of the movie’s best-known quotes.

It is also one of the Breakfast Club quotes that feels a little dated. With Bart Simpson saying it for so many years, it feels almost unnatural to hear it coming out of the mouth of someone like Bender . He is someone who is rough around the edges, and he is someone who says what he is thinking and what he feels. Using a quote that is now just a silly playground insult from a cartoon doesn't hit as much as it might have when the movie was released so many years ago.

18 "Do You Know How Popular I Am? I'm So Popular. Everybody Loves Me So Much At This School."

When the group decides to smoke together, despite Andrew’s initial protests, they all begin to be much more open with their comments. Though Claire has, at that point in the movie, started to open up more and become a bit more vulnerable, this is the point where she also starts to loosen up. Claire remarks on her own popularity, but it’s not meant in a serious way .

It helps to humanize Claire a little bit and give her some levity instead of leaving her as the serious one of the group as everyone starts spilling secrets. It is a fun moment and one that shows that Claire doesn't like her place as the popular girl in the school. She knows that people make fun of her behind her back, even those people who claim to be her friends. Despite this, she keeps up the charade, pretending to be happy that she is so popular, while knowing it is fleeting and doesn't mean anything in the end.

17 "I See Me, And I Don't Like What I See, I Really Don't."

Brian johnson.

It doesn't take long into their day of Saturday detention for the group to start spilling their deepest secrets to one another. Their insecurities and their fears are all laid out on the table despite them all thinking that they'll never talk to one another after detention is over. In this Breakfast Club quote, Brian admits that he doesn't like what he sees when he looks in the mirror.

Brian's struggle with self-esteem and satisfaction is one anyone can relate to on some level, which is part of what's made the movie's appeal so enduring. Bender spends a lot of time early making fun of Brian. Andrew mocks him, as one might expect a jock to do to a nerd. However, Brian has it tough at home. He has an abusive life with his family and he isn't a happy person. He knows he is smart, but he also knows that paints a target on him with other kids. Brian hates who he is, and his admission is heartbreaking.

The Breakfast Club's "brain," Brian Johnson starts and finishes the movie with extracts from his essay. He also has plenty of great quotes in between.

16 "You Do Everything Everyone Tells You To, And That Is The Problem."

Allison reynolds.

Allison hits the nail on the head when it comes to the more popular people in the school with this Breakfast Club quote. They are yes-people, not thinking for themselves , but quickly succumbing to the effects of peer pressure. It's the pressure that sees both Claire and Andrew eventually break down during the day. Allison, on the other hand, does what she wants, or tries to. Allison points out that doing exactly what other people want is a problem.

She might lie to get reactions out of people, but Allison is more in tune with who she really is than anyone else in the room. While she seems like the weird girl in this group, she knows that she is weird, and she is seemingly comfortable in her own skin. She clearly has problems, but she at least will speak up about things and be honest. She knows that Caire fakes her happiness at being popular, and Andrew is doing what he does for his dad. She won't hesitate to call them out on their hypocrisy.

15 "Does Barry Manilow Know That You Raid His Wardrobe?"

With this line, the audience knows exactly what they are getting from John Bender. He wastes no time in insulting Mr. Vernon as soon as detention begins. The reference might be a bit dated for teens watching the movie today if they're not familiar with the singer, but his particular style would have been fresh in the minds of 80s audiences. It's clearly meant to be an insult, despite contention from Manilow fans.

This is also where Bender shows that he is a self-destructive young man. He doesn't care if he gets in trouble and doesn't care if he gets everyone else around him in trouble. He has the most abusive homelife of anyone in the movie, and his father physically harms him. Bender likely pushes his own dad and receives even greater punishment. When he keeps talking back to Mr. Vernon, no matter how many weeks are added to his detention, it is a sign of someone who has given up on caring about his own well-being.

14 "Don't Mess With The Bull, Young Man. You'll Get The Horns."

Richard vernon.

This is such a great and weird saying for an authority figure to use when they believe they're above reproach and just don't have time to deal with any kids challenging them. That's exactly the kind of figure Vernon presented in the movie. So focused on wielding his own power over the students, Vernon can't deal with the fact that Bender, or any of the kids, would question him at all.

This is one Breakfast Club quote repeated in movies and television series since, mostly sarcastically. It is also a weird moment because Vernon does the horns sign to Bender, and it makes it look like he is trying to look cool in front of the teens, although he mostly comes across as a joke in their eyes. When Vernon is later sitting in his office talking to Carl, it is clear he doesn't want to be there any more than the kids, and this shows he is as immature as Bender when it comes to lashing out at others.

13 "Two Hits. Me Hitting You. You Hitting The Floor."

This Breakfast Club quote comes from Andrew early on in the movie when he's really aggressive towards Bender and his whole attitude . He never fully drops his criticisms of Bender, but his opinion does clearly soften by the end of the movie. This is partly because Andrew gets in touch with the fact that his aggression stems from a desire to gain approval from his father, and this line smartly sounds like something Andrew heard someone else say, maybe even his own father.

He even repeats it in order to put up his tough-guy facade. Bender seems to be the biggest bully in the movie, but Andrew is a close second. He is more soft-spoken, but it is clear he has learned a lot from his father, and it is hinted that he is only a jock and successful athlete because his dad pushes him so hard. His father is nowhere near as abusive as Bender's, but that does not mean he hasn't learned aggression from his dad, and he exerts that here against the other alpha male in the room.

12 "Could You Describe The Ruckus, Sir?"

This particular question is a fan favorite for the audience members who identify with The Breakfast Club's Brian. He is the kind of kid who always does what he is told and pushes himself to be the perfect student. The line is innocent enough to come across as helpful but hints at the guy who wants to climb outside the box society put him in. When Vernon returns to the library and says he " heard a ruckus ," it is early enough in the movie that any of the kids could give each other up, but they don't.

Even Brian keeps his head with a smart comeback. Brian is the last person anyone would expect to talk back, so when he does, it takes Mr. Vernon by surprise and gives him some cred with the other kids around him. While he is the nerd of the group, he wants to be so much more and this was a small step in that direction and a possible chance that Brian could come out of this afternoon a changed person, possibly for the better.

11 "I Don't Have To Run Away And Live In The Street."

"I Can Run Away And Go To The Ocean, I Can Go To The Country, I Can Go To The Mountains."

Bender is the character labeled as the rebel, but maybe Allison should have been. She ends up as "the basket case" because she says outlandish things that surprise people, tends to have sticky fingers, and doesn't conform to anyone's idea of what a teenage girl should be .

While all the characters get the chance to voice their unhappiness, Allison is the one character who actually seems like she is ready to leave her hometown behind and go somewhere where she can just be herself. A lot of teenagers and adults have identified with that aspect of her character over the years.

This is a case of Allison saying what the others have possibly only dreamed about. They all likely want out. Claire wants less expectations to be the popular girl, Brian wants less expectations about being smart, Andrew wants less expectations about being a perfect athlete, and Bender wants to escape completely. Allison is just the only person honest about wanting out of her situation.

10 “It Is Now 7:06. You Have Exactly 8 Hours And 54 Minutes To Think About Why You Are Here – To Ponder The Error Of Your Ways.”

Assistant Principal Richard Vernon gives the perfect start for a quiet Saturday of detention for five students with unclear crimes. With his full authority and obvious skepticism about the character of the kids from different cliques, he gives out the ultimate goal of the detention – a self-evaluation essay.

It establishes his character really well, not just the premise of the movie, and it's become one of the most memorable Breakfast Club quotes as a result. The line is interesting because Mr. Vernon sees this as a room full of losers who should think about why they can't do things right.

His only reason for making the statement is to mock them and dismiss them for what he thinks they are. However, a deeper meaning comes from what the kids should take from it. They need to think about why they are there, and figure out what they want to do with their lives instead of what society tells them to think. For Mr. Vernon, that is an idea too great for his mind to comprehend.

9 “I Hate It. I Hate Having To Go Along With Everything My Friends Say.”

The gang shares their hidden sentiments beneath their stereotypical traits. Claire confesses that she constantly has to succumb to peer pressure. When Brian brings up how the five will go on being friends after their detention, Claire says that she doesn't believe that will happen.

When Brian suspected her of being conceited, Claire revealed, “ I hate having to go along with everything my friends say ," before she goes on with a tirade about feeling peer pressure. The line speaks volumes to those who have felt social pressure in their lives before.

This is also a line that shows how different she is from Allison, who lives like her way and doesn't care if everyone around her thinks that makes her weird. She seems comfortable in her skin, even if she acts like she is always trying to climb out of it. On the other hand, Claire looks perfect, but she knows she isn't and wishes she could just be someone else, showing that appearances are often misconstrued.

8 “You Ought To Spend A Little More Trying To Do Something With Yourself And A Little Less Trying To Impress People.”

Principal Vernon may be an oftentimes unjustly harsh authority figure, but he raises good points for the kids. All he is concerned about is the rebellious state of the current generation of children he is overseeing. So it's understandable why he would use a tough tone towards the gang, particularly towards Bender, when he drops this pearl of wisdom.

This also shows how oblivious Mr. Vernon is about the kids he is tasked with watching over. He thinks that Bender is always trying to impress people when in fact Bender is always trying to escape his own pain. This movie hit in the 1980s, and in that era, it was easy to dismiss what kids were going through because they needed "discipline." However, this caused trauma to many kids, and to see one of the people charged with leading them be so dismissive and wrong about what he sees makes this a troubling quote.

That fateful Saturday detention in The Breakfast Club is iconic, and Mr. Vernon's bad teacher gimmicks and memorable quotes are even more so.

7 “You Wanna Know What I Did To Get In Here? Nothing… I Didn’t Have Anything Better To Do.”

This Breakfast Club quote is one of the most surprising. To break the ice from Brian’s dark reveal of why he ended up in detention, Allison shares that she did not have a reason to be there at all . It is a much-needed bit of levity for the gang after a long sharing session wherein each one shared their impressions of themselves and of each other.

It is also funny because no one knows if she is serious or not, and this includes the movie's viewers. Was Allison just there because she was bored and didn't have anything better to do? That seems unlikely, and she was surely there as punishment for something. However, by throwing out this quote to the group, Allison draws a line in the sand between her and the others that makes it sound like she does what she does because she wants to and everyone else is busy following orders from those around them.

6 “I Could Disappear Forever And It Wouldn’t Make Any Difference.”

This is a line shared by Andrew earlier and brought up by Bender during their sharing session when he begins to berate Claire after her trick of putting on lipstick using her cleavage. Andrew once again begins to get aggressive with Bender and his attitude, so the group goes back to arguing again.

Bender is clearly a character with a lot of personal issues and an abusive life at home, the way that he acts out and triggers negative behavior in other people, almost on purpose it would seem, all feels very naturalistic. The way that Bender repeats this line really makes it sound like he believes it.

This is a sad and disturbing Breakfast Club quote because it sounds like a person who is on the edge and is almost ready to give up. Bender really feels he is worthless, invisible, and means nothing to society in general. His father likely makes him feel like that with his abuse, and out of all the kids in this room doing detention, Bender seems to be the one who needs help the most but doesn't think he deserves it.

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The Breakfast Club

• [ last lines ]
• Brian Johnson : [ closing narration ] Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. But we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us - in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain...
• Andrew Clark : ...and an athlete...
• Allison Reynolds : ...and a basket case...
• Claire Standish : ...a princess...
• John Bender : ...and a criminal.
• Brian Johnson : Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.
• Andrew Clark : We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all.
• Andrew Clark : What do you need a fake I.D. for?
• Brian Johnson : So I can vote.
• John Bender : Screws fall out all the time, the world is an imperfect place.
• Richard Vernon : You're not fooling anyone, Bender. The next screw that falls out will be you.
• John Bender : Eat my shorts.
• Richard Vernon : What was that?
• John Bender : Eat... my... shorts.
• Richard Vernon : You just bought yourself another Saturday.
• John Bender : Ooh, I'm crushed.
• Richard Vernon : You just bought one more.
• John Bender : Well I'm free the Saturday after that. Beyond that, I'm going to have to check my calendar.
• Richard Vernon : Good, cause it's going to be filled. We'll keep going. You want another one? Just say the word say it. Instead of going to prison you'll come here. Are you through?
• John Bender : No.
• Richard Vernon : I'm doing society a favor.
• John Bender : So?
• Richard Vernon : That's another one right now! I've got you for the rest of your natural born life if you don't watch your step. You want another one?
• John Bender : Yes.
• Richard Vernon : You got it! You got another one right there! That's another one pal!
• Claire Standish : Cut it out!
• Richard Vernon : You through?
• John Bender : Not even close bud!
• Richard Vernon : Good! You got one more right there!
• John Bender : You really think I give a shit?
• Richard Vernon : Another! You through?
• John Bender : How many is that?
• Brian Johnson : That's seven including when we first came in and you asked Mr. Vernon whether Barry Manilow knew that he raided his closet.
• Richard Vernon : Now it's eight. You stay out of this.
• Brian Johnson : Excuse me sir, it's seven.
• Richard Vernon : Shut up, peewee.
• John Bender : [ Imitating his Father ] Stupid, worthless, no good, goddamn, freeloading son of a bitch. Retarded, big mouth, know-it-all, asshole, jerk.
• [ Imitating his Mother ]
• John Bender : You forgot ugly, lazy and disrespectful.
• [ Father's voice ]
• John Bender : Shut up bitch! Go fix me a turkey pot pie.
• [ His own voice ]
• John Bender : No dad, what about you?
• John Bender : Fuck you.
• John Bender : Dad, what about you?
• John Bender : Fuck you!
• [ Pantomimes getting punched in the face ]
• Brian Johnson : Is that for real?
• John Bender : You wanna come over sometime?
• John Bender : Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?
• [ first lines ]
• Brian Johnson : [ opening narration immediately after the title sequence ] Saturday, March 24, 1984. Shermer High School, Shermer, Illinois, 60062. Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. What we did *was* wrong. But we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. What do you care? You see us as you want to see us - in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. You see us as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal. Correct? That's the way we saw each other at 7:00 this morning. We were brainwashed.
• Allison Reynolds : I'll do anything sexual. I don't need a million dollars to do it either.
• Claire Standish : You're lying.
• Allison Reynolds : I already have. I've done just about everything there is except a few things that are illegal. I'm a nymphomaniac.
• Claire Standish : Lie.
• Brian Johnson : Are your parents aware of this?
• Allison Reynolds : The only person I told was my shrink.
• Andrew Clark : And what did he do when you told him?
• Allison Reynolds : He nailed me.
• Claire Standish : Very nice.
• Allison Reynolds : I don't think that from a legal standpoint what he did can be construed as rape, since I paid him.
• Claire Standish : He's an adult.
• Allison Reynolds : Yeah, he's married too.
• Claire Standish : Do you have any idea how completely gross that is?
• Allison Reynolds : Well, the first few times...
• Claire Standish : The first few times? You mean you did it more than once?
• Allison Reynolds : Sure.
• Claire Standish : Are you crazy?
• Brian Johnson : Obviously she's crazy if she's screwing a shrink.
• Allison Reynolds : Have you ever done it?
• Claire Standish : I don't even have a psychiatrist.
• Allison Reynolds : Have you ever done it with a normal person?
• Claire Standish : Didn't we already cover this?
• John Bender : You never answered the question.
• Claire Standish : Look, I'm not going to discuss my private life with total strangers.
• Allison Reynolds : It's kind of a double edged sword isn't it?
• Claire Standish : A what?
• Allison Reynolds : Well, if you say you haven't, you're a prude. If you say you have you're a slut. It's a trap. You want to but you can't, and when you do you wish you didn't, right?
• Claire Standish : Wrong.
• Allison Reynolds : Or are you a tease?
• Andrew Clark : She's a tease.
• Claire Standish : I'm sure. Why don't you just forget it.
• Andrew Clark : Oh, you're a tease and you know it. All girls are teases.
• John Bender : She's only a tease if what she does gets you hot.
• Claire Standish : I don't do anything.
• Allison Reynolds : That's why you're a tease.
• Claire Standish : OK, let me ask you a few questions.
• Allison Reynolds : I already told you everything.
• Claire Standish : No. Doesn't it bother you to sleep around without being in love. I mean, don't you want any respect?
• Allison Reynolds : I don't screw to get respect. That's the difference between you and me.
• Claire Standish : It's not the only difference I hope.
• John Bender : Face it, you're a tease.
• Claire Standish : I'm NOT a tease.
• John Bender : Sure you are. Sex is your weapon. You said it yourself. You use it to get respect.
• Claire Standish : No, I never said that she twisted my words around.
• John Bender : What do you use it for then?
• Claire Standish : I don't use it period.
• John Bender : Oh, are you medically frigid or is it psychological?
• Claire Standish : I didn't mean it that way. You guys are putting words into my mouth.
• John Bender : Well, if you'd just answer the question.
• Brian Johnson : Why don't you just answer the question?
• Andrew Clark : Be honest.
• John Bender : No big deal.
• Brian Johnson : Yeah answer it.
• Andrew Clark : Answer the question, Claire.
• John Bender : Talk to us. Every one: C'mon, answer the question. Come on. Answer it.
• John Bender : C'mon, it's easy. It's only one question.
• Claire Standish : NO I NEVER DID IT.
• Allison Reynolds : I never did it either. I'm not a nymphomaniac. I'm a compulsive liar.
• John Bender : Hey, how come Andrew gets to get up? If he gets up, we'll all get up, it'll be anarchy.
• Claire Standish : You know why guys like you knock everything?
• John Bender : Oh, this should be stunning.
• Claire Standish : It's because you're afraid.
• John Bender : Oh God, you richies are so smart, that's exactly why I'm not heavy into activities.
• Claire Standish : You're a big coward.
• Brian Johnson : I'm in the math club.
• Claire Standish : See, you're afraid that they won't take you, you don't belong, so you have to just dump all over it.
• John Bender : Well, it wouldn't have anything to do with you activities people being assholes, now would it?
• Claire Standish : Well, you wouldn't know, you don't even know any of us.
• John Bender : Well, I don't know any lepers either, but I'm not going to run out and join one of their fucking clubs.
• Andrew Clark : Hey! Let's watch the mouth, huh?
• Brian Johnson : I'm in the physics club too.
• John Bender : Excuse me a sec. What are you babbling about?
• Brian Johnson : Well, what I had said was I'm in the math club, uh, the Latin, and the physics club... physics club.
• John Bender : Hey, Cherry. Do you belong to the physics club?
• Claire Standish : That's an academic club.
• Claire Standish : So academic clubs aren't the same as other kinds of clubs.
• John Bender : Ah... but to dorks like him, they are. What do you guys do in your club?
• Brian Johnson : Well, in physics we... we talk about physics, properties of physics.
• John Bender : So it's sorta social, demented and sad, but social. Right?
• Andrew Clark : I taped Larry Lester's buns together.
• Brian Johnson : That was you?
• Andrew Clark : Yeah, you know him?
• Brian Johnson : Yeah, I know him.
• Andrew Clark : Well, then you know how hairy he is. And when they pulled the tape off, most of his hair came off and some - some skin, too.
• Claire Standish : Oh my God.
• Andrew Clark : And the bizarre thing is that I did it for my old man. I tortured this poor kid because I wanted him to think that I was cool. He's always going off about how when he was in school and all the wild things he used to do. And I got the feeling that he was disappointed that I never cut loose on anyone, right? So I'm sitting in the locker room and I'm taping up my knee, and Larry's undressing a couple lockers down from me. And he's kinda, he's kinda skinny. Weak. And I started thinkin' about my father, and his attitude about, about weakness. And the next thing I knew, I jumped on top of him and started whaling on him. And my friends, they just laughed and cheered me on. And afterwards, when I'm sitting in Vernon's office, all I could think about was Larry's father and Larry having to go home and explain what happened to him. And the humiliation - the fucking humiliation he must have felt. It must have been unreal. I mean, how... how do you apologize for something like that? There's no way. It's all because of me and my old man. God, I fucking hate him. He's like this mindless machine that I can't even relate to anymore.
• [ crying, imitating his father ]
• Andrew Clark : 'Andrew! You've got to be number one! I won't tolerate any losers in this family! Your intensity is for shit! Win! Win! Win!' You son of a bitch. You know, sometimes I wish my knee would give. And I wouldn't be able to wrestle anymore. And he could forget all about me.
• Richard Vernon : What if your home... what if your family... what if your *dope* was on fire?
• John Bender : [ truthfully ] Impossible, sir. It's in Johnson's underwear.
• John Bender : Uh, Dick? Excuse me; Rich. Will milk be made available to us?
• Andrew Clark : We're extremely thirsty, sir.
• Claire Standish : I have a really low tolerance for dehydration.
• Andrew Clark : I've seen her dehydrate, sir. It's pretty gross.
• John Bender : [ after Claire performs her lipstick trick, claps sarcastically ] Wow, Claire. That was great. My image of you is totally blown.
• Allison Reynolds : You're a shit. Don't do that to her, you swore to God you wouldn't laugh.
• John Bender : Am I laughing?
• Andrew Clark : [ shouts angrily ] You fuckin' prick!
• John Bender : What do you care what I think anyway? I don't even count, right? I could disappear forever and it wouldn't make any difference. I might as well not even exist at this school, remember?
• [ turns to Claire ]
• John Bender : And you... don't like me anyway.
• Claire Standish : You know, I have just as, many feelings as you do and it hurts so much when someone steps all over them.
• John Bender : God! You're so pathetic. Don't you ever, *ever* compare yourself to me, okay. You got everything, and I got shit. Fuckin' Rapunzel, right? School would probably fuckin' shut down if you didn't show up. Queenie isn't here. I like those earrings, Claire.
• Claire Standish : Shut up.
• John Bender : Are those real diamonds Claire?
• John Bender : I bet they are. Did you work for the money for those earrings?
• Claire Standish : Shut your mouth.
• John Bender : Or did your daddy buy those for you?
• Claire Standish : [ shouts ] SHUT UP!
• John Bender : I'll bet he bought those for you. I bet those were a Christmas gift. Right? You know what I got for Christmas? Oh, it was a banner fucking year at the old Bender family. I got a carton of cigarettes. The old man grabbed me and said, "Hey, smoke up Johnny." All right? So go home and cry to your Daddy. Don't cry here, okay?
• Andrew Clark : My God, are we gonna be like our parents?
• Claire Standish : Not me. Ever.
• [ Bender nods ]
• Allison Reynolds : It's unavoidable. It just happens.
• Allison Reynolds : When you grow up, your heart dies.
• John Bender : So, who cares?
• Allison Reynolds : I care.
• John Bender : Remember how you said your parents use you to get back at each other?
• [ Claire nods agreeingly ]
• John Bender : Wouldn't I be OUTSTANDING in that capacity?
• John Bender : [ after Claire kisses his neck ] Why'd you do that?
• Claire Standish : 'Cause I knew you wouldn't.
• Claire Standish : [ pause ] Were you truly disgusted with what I did with my lipstick?
• John Bender : The truth?
• Claire Standish : Yeah.
• John Bender : [ nods ] No.
• [ Claire is doing Allison's make-up ]
• Claire Standish : You know, you look a lot better without all that black shit under your eyes.
• Allison Reynolds : Hey, I like all that black shit... Why are you being so nice to me?
• Claire Standish : Because you're letting me.
• Brian Johnson : Chicks cannot hold their smoke, dat's what it is.
• John Bender : What's in there?
• Claire Standish : Guess? Where's your lunch?
• John Bender : You're wearing it.
• Claire Standish : You're nauseating.
• John Bender : [ pointing to Claire's lunch ] What's that?
• Claire Standish : Sushi.
• John Bender : Sushi?
• Claire Standish : Rice, raw fish, and seaweed.
• John Bender : You won't accept a guy's tongue in your mouth, and you're going to eat that?
• Claire Standish : Can I eat?
• John Bender : I don't know. Give it a try.
• John Bender : YOU ARE A BITCH.
• Claire Standish : Why? 'Cause I'm telling the truth, that makes me a bitch?
• John Bender : NO. 'Cause you know how shitty that is to do someone, and you don't got the balls to stand up to your friends and tell them you're gonna like who you wanna like.
• John Bender : Sporto.
• Andrew Clark : What?
• John Bender : You get along with your parents?
• Andrew Clark : Well, if I say yes I'm an idiot, right?
• John Bender : You're an idiot anyway. But if you say you get along with your parents, well, you're a liar too.
• Andrew Clark : Why do you have to insult everybody?
• John Bender : I'm being honest, asshole. I would expect you to know the difference.
• [ Richard Vernon places magazine rack in front of door to hold it open ]
• John Bender : That's very clever, sir. But what if there's a fire? I think violating fire codes and endangering the lives of children would be unwise at this juncture in your career, sir.
• Allison Reynolds : You have problems.
• Andrew Clark : Oh, I have problems?
• Allison Reynolds : You do everything everyone tells you to do and that is a problem.
• Andrew Clark : Okay, fine, but I didn't dump my purse out on the couch and invite everyone into my problems.
• John Bender : What're we having?
• Brian Johnson : Uh, it's your standard, regular lunch I guess...
• [ Bender reaches in the bag and pulls out a thermos. He sets it on the table and points at it ]
• John Bender : Milk?
• Brian Johnson : Uh, soup.
• John Bender : Ah.
• [ Bender goes in again and pulls out a juice box. Brian reaches toward the bag and Bender slaps his hand ]
• Brian Johnson : That's apple juice...
• John Bender : I *can* read. PB & J with the crusts cut off... Well, Brian, this is a very nutritious lunch. All the food groups are represented. Did your mom marry Mr. Rogers?
• Brian Johnson : Uh, no, Mr. Johnson.
• Andrew Clark : So what's wrong? What is it? Is it bad? Real bad? Parents?
• Allison Reynolds : Yeah.
• Andrew Clark : What did they do to you?
• Allison Reynolds : They ignore me.
• Andrew Clark : Yeah.
• John Bender : [ crawling above the ceiling ] A naked blonde walks into a bar with a poodle under one arm, and a two-foot salami under the other. She lays the poodle on the table. The bartender says, "I suppose you won't be needing a drink." Naked lady says...
• [ the ceiling breaks, and he falls through ]
• John Bender : Oh, *shit*!
• Richard Vernon : [ hearing the crash from his office ] Jesus Christ Almighty!
• [ John sees Andrew and Claire angrily stunned ]
• John Bender : [ to the other students ] Forgot my pencil.
• Richard Vernon : [ enters the library ] Goddamn it! What in God's name is going on in here? What was that ruckus?
• Andrew Clark : Uh, what ruckus?
• Richard Vernon : I was just in my office and I heard a ruckus.
• Brian Johnson : Could you describe the ruckus, sir?
• Richard Vernon : Watch your tongue, young man, watch it.
• Andrew Clark : Speak for yourself.
• John Bender : Do you think I'd speak for you? I don't even know your language.
• Andrew Clark : Look, you guys keep up your talking and Vernon's gonna come right in here. I got a meet this Saturday and I'm not gonna miss it on account of you boneheads.
• John Bender : Oh, and wouldn't that be a bite, huh? Missing a whole wrestling meet!
• Andrew Clark : You wouldn't know anything about it, faggot! You never competed in your whole life!
• John Bender : Oh, I know. I feel all empty inside because of it. I have such a deep admiration for guys who roll around on the floor with other guys.
• Andrew Clark : Ah, you'd never make it. You don't have any goals.
• John Bender : Oh, but I do!
• Andrew Clark : Yeah?
• John Bender : I wanna be just... like... you. I figure all I need is a lobotomy and some tights!
• Brian Johnson : You wear tights?
• Andrew Clark : No, I don't wear tights. I wear the required uniform.
• Brian Johnson : Tights.
• Andrew Clark : [ short pause ] Shut up!
• John Bender : [ running through the halls singing ] I wanna be an airborne ranger / I wanna lead a life of danger / Before the day I die / There's five things I wanna ride / Bicycle, tricycle, automobile / Virgin's mother and a ferris wheel...
• Brian Johnson : [ after Brian explains his F in shop ] Did you know without trigonometry, there'd be no engineering?
• John Bender : Without lamps, there'd be no light.
• [ to himself, crawling above some acoustic ceiling tiles ]
• Bender : Naked blonde walks into a bar with a poodle under one arm, and a two-foot salami under the other. The bartender says, I guess you won't be needing a drink. Naked lady says...
• [ the ceiling gives way ]
• Bender : Oh, *shit*.
• Andrew : [ after Claire has given Allison a makeover ] What happened to you?
• Allison Reynolds : Why? Claire did it... What's wrong?
• Andrew : Nothing's wrong... it's just so different, you know? I can see your face.
• Allison Reynolds : Is that good or bad?
• Andrew : It's good.
• [ Vernon catches Bender playing basketball in the gym ]
• John Bender : Don't you want to hear my excuse?
• Richard Vernon : Out.
• John Bender : I'm thinkin' of tryin' out for a scholarship.
• [ as Bender prepares to urinate under his desk ]
• Andrew Clark : Hey, you're not urinating in here, man.
• John Bender : Don't talk. Don't talk. It makes it crawl back up.
• John Bender : My impression of life at Big Bri's house, "Son?" "Yeah, Dad?" "How was your day, son?" "Great, Dad. How's yours?" "Super. Say, how would like to go fishing this weekend?" "Great, Dad. But I got homework to do." "That's okay, son. You can do it on the boat." "Gee." "Hon, isn't our son swell?" "Yes, dear. Isn't life swell?"
• Andrew Clark : If I lose my temper you're totaled, man.
• John Bender : Totally?
• Andrew Clark : Totally.
• Claire Standish : Why didn't you want me to know that you are a virgin?
• Brian Johnson : Because it's personal business. It's my personal, private business.
• John Bender : Well, Brian, it doesn't sound like you're doing any business.
• Claire Standish : Do you know how popular I am? I am so popular. Everybody loves me so much at this school.
• John Bender : Poor baby.
• Claire Standish : [ about her parents ] I don't think either one of them gives a shit about me. It's like they use me just to get back at each other.
• Allison Reynolds : [ her first word of dialogue so far ] Ha!
• Claire Standish : [ long pause ] Shut up!
• Claire Standish : What would your friends say if we were walking down the hall together. They'd laugh their asses off and you'd probably tell them you were doing it with me so they'd forgive you for being seen with me.
• John Bender : Don't you ever talk about my friends. You don't know any of my friends. You don't look at any of my friends. And you certainly wouldn't condescend to speak to any of my friends. So you just stick to the things you know: shopping, nail polish, your father's BMW, and your poor, rich drunk mother in the Caribbean.
• Claire Standish : SHUT UP!
• John Bender : And as far as being concerned about what's gonna happen when you and I walk down the hallways of school together, you can forget it cuz it's never gonna happen. Just bury your head in the sand and wait for your fuckin' prom.
• Claire Standish : [ Crying ] I hate you!
• John Bender : Yeah? Good!
• Allison Reynolds : I don't have to run away and live in the street. I can run away and I can go to the ocean, I can go to the country, I can go to the mountains. I could go to Israel, Africa, Afghanistan.
• Andrew Clark : So... what's your poison?
• [ Allison says nothing ]
• Andrew Clark : ... Ok, forget I asked.
• Allison Reynolds : Vodka.
• Andrew Clark : Vodka? When do you drink vodka.
• Allison Reynolds : Whenever.
• Andrew Clark : How much?
• Allison Reynolds : Tons.
• Allison Reynolds : Your middle name is Ralph, as in puke, your birth date's March 12th, you're 5'9 and a half, you weigh 130 pounds and your social security number is 049380913.
• Andrew Clark : Wow. Are you psychic?
• Allison Reynolds : No.
• Brian Johnson : Well, would you mind telling me how you know all this about me?
• Allison Reynolds : I stole your wallet.
• John Bender : How does one become a janitor?
• Carl : You wanna be a janitor?
• John Bender : No, I just want to know how one becomes a janitor. Because Andrew here is very interested in pursuing a career in the custodial arts.
• Carl : Oh really? You guys think I'm just some untouchable peasant? Serf? Peon? Well, maybe so. But following a broom around after shitheads like you for the last 8 years, I've learned a couple of things. I look through your letters. I look through your lockers. I listen to your conversations, you don't know that but I do. I am the eyes and ears of this institution, my friends.
• [ Carl looks up at the clock and looks at his watch ]
• Carl : By the way, that clock's 20 minutes fast.
• Andrew Clark : I said, leave her alone.
• John Bender : You gonna make me?
• John Bender : You and how many of your friends?
• Andrew Clark : Just me. Just you and me. Two hits. Me hitting you. You hitting the floor. Anytime you're ready, pal.
• John Bender : You're kind of sexy when you're angry.
• John Bender : Being bad feels pretty good, huh?

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The Breakfast Club

By john hughes, the breakfast club essay questions.

What role does authoritarianism play in The Breakfast Club ?

As one of the film's major themes, authoritarianism plays a significant role in The Breakfast Club . Defined as the imposition of strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom, authoritarianism is explored by Hughes primarily through the character of Vice Principal Vernon, who oversees the students' Saturday detention. Vernon seeks to assert his authority by imposing unreasonable demands on the students, yelling at them to remain still and maintain silence for the next eight hours. In every interaction, Vernon adopts this tough demeanor towards the students, viewing them as troublemakers whose liberty must be curtailed. However, his attempts to command respect ultimately falter, as the students can discern the facade and perceive the underlying insecurity that drives Vernon's need for unwavering compliance.

What is the significance of the cigar burn on Bender's arm?

The cigar burn on Bender's forearm is significant because it serves as a symbol of parental abuse. When Bender mocks Brian's parents, portraying them as picture-perfect, the other students inquire about Bender's own parents. He impersonates his father, depicting him as cruel and prone to violence. However, Andrew doubts the authenticity of Bender's claims. In order to substantiate his portrayal, Bender reveals a circular patch of scar tissue on the inside of his forearm. He explains that it resulted from his father deliberately burning him with a lit cigar as punishment for spilling paint in their garage. The group falls into silence as they absorb the significance of the physical abuse symbolized by the burn.

What role does bonding play in the film?

In The Breakfast Club , bonding plays a crucial role as one of the film's major themes. At the start of the story, the only commonality among the five students is their shared experience of serving a full-day detention on a weekend. However, they quickly discover that they share similar feelings, which stem from challenging life circumstances. As they open up about their resentment towards their parents and their yearning to escape the pressures of teenage life, a deep understanding develops among them. Many of the students feel secure enough to display vulnerability and cry in front of one another. By the film's conclusion, the group solidifies their bond by jointly submitting a single essay, authored by Brian, as a statement against Vernon. This act further underscores their newly formed connection. Additionally, Hughes emphasizes the newly kindled relationships between Claire and Bender, as well as Allison and Andrew. As with the greater sense of community generated within the groups, these emotion- and communication-based relationships transcend the social divisions that once bound the students to different cliques.

What is the significance of the elephant lamp that earns Brian a failing grade in shop class?

The elephant lamp project Brian fails to complete correctly is significant because it is a symbol of hubris—an excessive sense of self-confidence. Toward the end of the film, Brian reveals to the group that he received detention because a flare gun accidentally discharged in his locker. He further discloses that he had contemplated using the flare gun to end his life because he was failing shop class. Brian had taken shop class under the assumption that it would be an easy way to earn an A, only to discover it was his most challenging subject. When Brian's ceramic lamp doesn't light up, he is given an F for the project. This unexpected failing grade forces Brian to confront his overestimation of his own intellect, which he had believed to be superior to that of the average shop student.

What is significant about the essay Brian leaves for Vice Principal Vernon?

The essay Brian writes on behalf of The Breakfast Club students is significant because it is a symbol of rebellion and defiance. When their detention begins, Vernon instructs the students to write a one-thousand-word essay on the topic of "who you think you are." The purpose of the essay is to make the students confront their excessive confidence, which led them to violate school rules. Despite Vernon's authoritarian posturing, the students disregard the essay task and instead establish connections with one another. Towards the end of the movie, Vernon retrieves the single essay written by Brian on behalf of the group. Brian challenges the essay's premise, informing Vernon that they have come to realize that each of them is a brain, a princess, an athlete, a basket case, and a criminal. Through these labels, Brian ridicules Vernon's simplistic perception of each individual, and undermines his authority by refusing to express remorse.

The Breakfast Club Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Breakfast Club is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Study Guide for The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club study guide contains a biography of director John Hughes, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Breakfast Club
• The Breakfast Club Summary
• Character List
• Director's Influence

Essays for The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Breakfast Club, directed by John Hughes.

• Back to Normal on Monday?: Stereotypes in The Breakfast Club

Wikipedia Entries for The Breakfast Club

• Introduction

‘The Breakfast Club’ Essays

Group dynamics and interpersonal relationships in ‘the breakfast club’, popular essay topics.

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