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

• What was John Quincy Adams’ identity in relation to the fight against the House’s gag rule?
• What was John Quincy Adams’ purpose in fighting against the gag rule?
• How did Adams fight against the injustice of the gag rule?

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 examine John Quincy Adams’ fight against the gag rule
• Students will analyze how John Quincy Adams’ actions were just
• Students will apply their understanding to how they can act justly in their own lives