The Perils of Indifference: Questions

    The Perils of Indifference: Questions

      1. Why do you think there's so much indifference in our world still today? How could we begin to solve the problem?
      2. Throughout his speech, Elie Wiesel rarely mentions the Holocaust or his experiences throughout World War II. Why do you think that is?
      3. Beginning with line 107, Wiesel asks his audience a series of questions regarding humanity's ability to learn from the past, but he does not provide answers to those questions. What is the point of doing that? Do you think it is effective?
      4. According to Wiesel, what are "the perils of indifference"? Does he believe we've learned from the horrors of the past? Do you?
      5. Wiesel gave this speech in 1999, just before the turn of the century. How would his speech change if he were giving it today?
      6. Does FDR's indifference to the refugees on the St. Louis change your opinion of our longest-sitting president? Why do you think that kind of information isn't included in our history books? What are the consequences of leaving it out?
      7. How would you characterize the overall tone of "The Perils of Indifference"? How would changing the tone affect the message?