One Minute of Pain: Louis Zamperini, Iron Discipline, and Purpose

How did Louis Zamperini 's purpose help him through excruciating ordeals?

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 Louis Zamperini promote freedom?
• Who was Louis Zamperini? Why was his experience significant?
• What was Louis’s purpose as a runner? As a bombardier? As a plane crash survivor? As a POW?
• What did Louis do to remain purposeful throughout each of his ordeals?

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 the purposeful actions and resilience of Louis Zamperini.
• Students will understand how being purposeful can help them achieve success.
• Students will apply their knowledge of purpose to their own lives.