Lesson
The Unshakeable Witness: Whittaker Chambers and Integrity
How did Whittaker Chambers' actions embody the principle of integrity?
Founding Principles
Civic Virtue, Individual Responsibility, Private Virtue, Rule of Law
Guiding questions
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 Whittaker Chambers’ testimony during the Alger Hiss trial?
- How are Whittaker Chambers’ actions consistent with the virtue of integrity?
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?
Learning objectives
- Students will analyze Whittaker Chambers’ actions throughout his life.
- Students will understand how acting with integrity can affect their purpose and identity.
- Students will apply this knowledge to the pursuit of integrity in their own lives.
Lesson Components
Standards
Advanced Placement
- Integrity
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