About This Lesson
Part 1 of the lesson deals with Oskar Schindler as he is depicted in the movie Schindler's List. Students consider the nature of historical fiction and its characteristic blend of facts with imagination. They discuss character and motivation. They read a movie review from 1993, and they write about the impact of the character of Schindler (as depicted in the film) on themselves as audience members.
Part 2 leads students to research and report about various aspects of Schindler’s life and work. They create a timeline and make inferences about his character and motives.
Part 3 focuses on the great and intriguing question of why Schindler—such an unlikely hero—did what he did. Handout 4 presents an excerpt from a letter written by some of his Jewish workers to demonstrate his innocence of Nazi war crimes. Students then respond to a series of quotations attributed to him. They consider the conclusions reached by Canadian journalist Herbert Steinhouse during the years immediately after the war. They view eye-witness testimony from some of Schindler’s long-ago Jewish workers on the Website of the USC Shoah Foundation. A quotation from Leon Leyson, who as a very young teenager worked in the enamelware factory, serves as the springboard for the culminating essay assignment.
This lesson includes 6 printables:
- Intersections of History and Fiction Worksheet
- An Oskar Schindler Timeline Worksheet & Teacher Answer Key
- Deductions about Oskar Schindler Worksheet
- Testimony on Behalf of Oskar Schindler Handout and Worksheet
- Quotes from Oskar Schindler Handout and Worksheet
- Herbert Steinhouse’s Conclusions Handout and Worksheet
- Download our complete Schindler's List Curriculum Guide at Journeys in Film.
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