The film is based on Richler's 1978 short story, "Mortimer Griffin, Shalinsky and How they Settled the Jewish Question".

After listening attentively to Griffin's analysis of Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, all the other students file out of the classroom, but Shalinsky lingers to compliment his teacher.

After offering words of praise, between puffs of his cigarette, he asks pointedly, "Why did you change your name?

However, Shalinsky persists, and simply won't accept that Griffin is not Jewish.

Finally, irritation gives way to anger and Griffin blurts out comments that sound anti-Semitic.