Supplemental Resources ·

"The Man and the Eagle" - Discussion Guide for Grade 9 and Above

Introduction

"The Man and the Eagle" is a thought-provoking story that serves as an allegory for discrimination, the importance of diversity, and the dangers of imposing one's own standards on others. The following questions are designed to guide a deep and meaningful discussion about the story's themes and their relevance to our lives and society.

Story Summary

There was once a man who had never seen an eagle. One day a magnificent eagle landed on his windowsill, and when he saw it, he exclaimed, "What an ugly creature!" The man grabbed the eagle and pulled it into his house. "First, I'm going to fix that curved beak of yours." He used a file to remove the hook in the eagle's beak. "Those claws are vicious looking," the man said as he clipped the eagle's claws until there was little left. When he finished, the man said, "There, now you look better." And he put the bird back on his open windowsill and shooed it away. You can imagine how long the newly trimmed eagle lasted in the wild.

Discussion Questions

A. Comprehension

  1. What specific actions did the man take towards the eagle, and what was his stated reason for each action?
  2. How do you think the eagle's life changed after the man altered its beak and claws?

B. Analysis of the Eagle's Perspective

  1. Why are the eagle's beak and claws crucial for its survival in the wild?
  2. How might the eagle feel about the changes forced upon it? Consider both physical and emotional impacts.

C. Analysis of the Man's Perspective

  1. Why do you think the man reacted as he did when he first saw the eagle?
  2. What assumptions did the man make about the eagle and its appearance?
  3. How might the man's lack of knowledge about eagles have influenced his actions? What does this suggest about the relationship between ignorance and discrimination?

D. Symbolism and Broader Implications

  1. What might the eagle represent in this story? Consider various possibilities.
  2. What could the man's actions symbolize in terms of human behavior towards others who are different?
  3. How does this story relate to issues of discrimination, assimilation, and cultural imperialism in society?

E. Personal Reflection

  1. Have you ever judged someone or something without fully understanding them? How did you come to realize this, and what did you learn from the experience?
  2. Can you think of a time when someone tried to change you to fit their idea of what's "right" or "normal"? How did it make you feel, and how did you respond?

F. Ethical Considerations

  1. Is it ever ethically justified to change someone else's characteristics? If so, under what circumstances, and who should make that decision?
  2. What are the potential consequences of trying to make everyone conform to a single standard of appearance or behavior?

G. Cultural and Historical Connections

  1. How does this story parallel certain aspects of history, such as colonization, forced assimilation, or the treatment of minority cultures?
  2. Can you think of examples in current events or recent history where similar attitudes are displayed towards certain groups of people?

H. Beauty and Diversity

  1. How do societal standards of beauty affect how we perceive and treat others who look different from those standards?
  2. Why is diversity important in nature? How does this principle apply to human society and culture?

I. Empathy and Understanding

  1. How can we cultivate appreciation for differences among people in our daily lives?
  2. What steps can individuals take to challenge their own biases and preconceptions about others?

J. Application and Action

  1. How can the lessons from this story be applied in your school, workplace, or community to promote inclusivity?
  2. What specific actions can you take to promote acceptance and celebration of diversity in your immediate environment?

Conclusion

Encourage participants to summarize key takeaways from the discussion and consider how they might apply these insights in their own lives to foster a more inclusive and understanding society.

Acknowledgment:

This activity was adapted, with modifications, from material originally produced by the Information and Communication Technologies in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Pennsylvania State University in 2004.

Also available: "The Man and the Eagle" - Discussion Guide for Grades 3-8

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Diversity Beans Blog