Walk-In-The-Shoes Questions
As you read, imagine you are the protagonist.

• What challenges are you facing?
• What fears or concerns might you have?
• What may prevent you from acting in the way you ought?

Observation Questions

• How was Franklin’s identity tied to his fight for abolition?
• What was Franklin’s purpose in writing his petition?
• What made Franklin write his petition and later his satirical piece about slavery?
• What did the purpose of Franklin’s petition say about his identity?

Discussion Questions
Discuss the following questions with your students.

• What is the historical context of the narrative?
• What historical circumstances presented a challenge to the protagonist?
• How and why did the individual exhibit a moral and/or civic virtue in facing and overcoming the challenge?
• How did the exercise of the virtue benefit civil society?
• How might exercise of the virtue benefit the protagonist?
• What might the exercise of the virtue cost the protagonist?
• Would you react the same under similar circumstances? Why or why not?
• How can you act similarly in your own life? What obstacles must you overcome in order to do so?

• Students will evaluate Benjamin Franklin’s efforts to petition Congress to abolish slavery.
• Students will evaluate why Franklin’s actions to promote justice for slaves was important.
• Students will apply their knowledge of justice to their own experiences.
• Students will promote justice for themselves and others.