This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women

Discuss and analyze the links between the themes The Influence of Personal Beliefs on Behavior and The Power of Autobiographical Narratives to Foster Empathy. How does the autobiographical nature of these essays reflect the personal, individualistic approach to beliefs and values encouraged by the series?

Studs Terkel once stated, “I want people to talk to one another no matter what their difference of opinion might be.” To what extent do the beliefs that Terkel espouses in the Foreword align with the messages and aims of This I Believe?

Compare and contrast essays written for the 1950s radio series with those written for the 2000s series. What are the main differences and similarities between the two groups of essays? How do they reflect the social and cultural context in which they were written?