40 pages • 1-hour read
The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man
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Essay Topics
Select a quotation that best illustrates the profound transformations which have happened since White’s childhood, and how these changes affected White’s life.
How does White repeatedly show great resilience throughout his life? Why does he choose to embrace personal agency? Explain with examples from the text.
According to Von Drehle, how did White embody Stoic principles? Explain with references to the text.
What is Von Drehle’s opinion on White’s philosophy of mental and emotional management? What do Von Drehle’s anecdotes about Charlie White reveal about generational differences in regard to emotion, communication and mental health?
According to Von Drehle, what is the best way to deal with uncertainty or feelings of paralysis? How did White live out this approach in his own life?
Choose an event from White’s life. What lesson does it teach? How could one apply this lesson?
Why does Von Drehle claim that White is a strong role model for the reader, and especially for young people who will live in a rapidly changing world? Provide a real-life example where someone can apply Von Drehle’s lessons about White.
In what ways does Von Drehle show that White isn’t unflappable or perfect? How does this affect his portrayal of White?
How does Von Drehle develop his message on positivity and optimism? In his opinion, what should the reader learn from White on this subject?
Von Drehle’s dissection of White’s life for his own project raises questions around the ethics of biography writing. Is Von Drehle’s work appropriate or exploitative? Why? Explain in detail.
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