Essay

When your house is attacked or broken into, you have a variety of natural human responses. You’re angry and you’re scared. You do some worthwhile things like installing motion detector lights; you do some unreasonable things like checking the locks on your doors even though you just checked them 15 seconds ago. Some things change forever and can never go back to the way they were. Some of your reactions are based in fear, some in thoughtful and correct strategy. Some of the fearful reactions are against your normal beliefs and sensibilities, but you do them anyway because you are afraid, and fear is a master at irrational rationalization.

On Dec. 7, 1941, America’s home was attacked. One hundred and eighty-nine bombers left their Japanese warships and headed for Pearl Harbor. When they were finished, the United States had lost 18 ships, 188 planes and 2,433 people. Our home had been broken into. The reactions were human — some strategic and careful, some completely against what we would have done and wanted to stand for if we hadn’t been controlled by fear and shock.

Your task is to discuss our responses. Which were sensible? Which were against our standards and normal beliefs? What things about us changed forever? What ugly things did fear bring to our surface? What admirable things showed up as well? Organize your essay into areas of impact and be sure to include details that describe the time periods before and after the war, emphasizing both the immediate and far-ranging changes. You may use your notes from class. Essay booklets are due at the end of the hour. Grading will be based on detail, correct conclusions, completeness of discussion and overall organization that suggests comprehension.

Essay (PDF File)