Skip to Main Content
undefined

Edward R. Murrow: In His Own Words

45 min

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 did Edward R. Murrow fight for freedom during McCarthy’s unproven accusations that a communist conspiracy was to blame for America’s problems?
  • What was Murrow’s purpose in broadcasting the 1954 See It Now show about McCarthy?
  • Why was it important for Murrow to do the 1954 television broadcast about McCarthy?

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 and interpret Edward R. Murrow’s identity during the McCarthyism era.
  • Students will evaluate perceived versus actual identities and their effects.
  • Students will determine how their own identities affect their own lives and the lives of those around them.

Student Handouts