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Anne Hutchinson and Courage: In the Face of Adversity

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

  • What was Anne Hutchinson’s role in her community and church before her trial?
  • Why did Anne hold the Bible studies at her house?
  • What about Anne’s Bible studies did others believe was problematic? Why was it courageous for Anne to stand up to the men at trial?

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 read and analyze Anne Hutchinson’s role in supporting religious liberty in early America.
  • Students will evaluate Hutchinson’s courage as she stood trial.
  • Students will apply their knowledge of courage to their own lives.

Student Handouts