
The Gospel of Wealth: Andrew Carnegie, Philanthropy, and Identity
45 min
Lesson Components
The Gospel of Wealth – Handout A: NarrativeWalk-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
- Who was Andrew Carnegie?
 - Why is Andrew Carnegie known as an industrialist and a philanthropist?
 - How does Andrew Carnegie’s work as an industrialist shape his identity? How does being a philanthropist shape 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 analyze the life and work of Andrew Carnegie.
 - Students will understand how Andrew Carnegie developed his own identity.
 - Students will learn how they can better develop their identity.