Tragic Events: Lesson

Learning from tragic events

It’s not an accident that many of the world’s greatest works of literature are tragedies. Some tell a version of humankind’s expulsion from Eden. Others are tales about tragic heroes.

Or, as is the case of this famous photo, a whole story can be told with out any words.

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History, art and literature have no shortage of tragic events.

​Dorothea Lange. Migrant Mother, Nipomo, California. 1936

​Well, why?

Why do we learn about

tragic events?

What good can we gain from

examining them?

​a museum-goer looks at photos of victims

at the Holocaust Museum

Steven Mintz,

insidehighered.com

We should study tragedy not because it’s therapeutic, not because it brings catharsis, but because it will breed empathy and compassion and because no other subject helps us better understand the human condition or human character and how some people have found meaning and inner strength to persist in the face of pain, suffering and grief. 

What if we didn't learn about human tragedy?

Think about it....

What if we just carried on as if nothing bad ever happened?

What would the consequences be?

Is ignorance bliss?

In the next slide,

You will be asked the Essential Question that we have been discussing in class.

Your answers must be well-meditated and well-written.

Prudent, thoughtful responses will be highlighted in class, given extra credit, and used to aid in the upcoming essay outline.

Be aware of using the appropriate tone and mood.

Off-topic or non-serious questions should not be submitted as they will not be considered.

Again, silly and/or thoughtless questions will be discarded.

Please govern yourself accordingly.

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You Will Be Held Accountable for Your Actions

Open Ended

In your opinion, what can we learn from tragic events?

(be as detailed as possible)