Journal for the Day

All sections:

Freewrite!

Journal for the Day

All sections:

Freewrite!

Fariness in the Field (Download worksheet)

Download the "Fairness in the Field" worksheet from engrade.com. The name of the file is "Queen's Croquet.pdf."

Charter for Compassion

The Charter for Compassion calls us all to act compassionately towards each other with the understanding that it is only when we are able to truly empathize with others (by exercising our moral creativity and intelligence) that we will move forward as a culture and civilization. Compassion is the wave of the future, so practice it!

The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.

It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.

We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.

We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensible to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community.

Journal for the Day

All sections:

Why does our society have different social classes? Do you think this is a positive thing for our culture? Why or why not?

Journal for the Day

All sections:

Write about a game or sport you enjoy. Why do you like it? What are the rules?

Chapter 8 Reading Response Questions

Read the first half of Chapter 8, "The Queen's Croquet-Ground," and answer the following questions"

1. Why are the gardeners nervous about the Queen's arrival?

2.What is the gardeners' punishment? Is it carried out?

3. Why is the Duchess "under sentence of execution?"

4. What items does one use in a game of croquet? What are they substituted for in Wonderland?

5. How do you think Alice will do at the croquet match? Why?

6. What makes it impossible for the Queen's croquet game to be played fairly?

7. Why does Alice seek to escape the croquet game?

8. Think about the orders the Queen gives and how many of those are carried out. What picture does this paint of the effectiveness of authority in Wonderland?