Stephen Decatur and Purpose

How did Stephen Decatur's sense of purpose drive him to successfully complete the daring raid on the U.S.S. Philadelphia?

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 Stephen Decatur’s role in the First Barbary War?
• Why was it so critical to remove the Philadelphia from Tripoli Harbor?
• What do Stephen Decatur’s actions 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 analyze Stephen Decatur’s performance during the raid on the U.S.S. Philadelphia.
• Students will understand how they can pursue their purpose in their own lives
• Students will apply this knowledge to discover their own purpose.