Rewriting Challenge

Worksheet Description

The worksheet titled “Hubris” introduces the concept of hubris-excessive pride or self-confidence-and its consequences within the context of Greek mythology. Students are provided with a scenario involving Dinah, an experienced hiker who aspires to trek the Appalachian Trail. The task requires students to rewrite the story, incorporating elements of hubris. The original scenario describes Dinah’s planning process, where she acknowledges the trail’s length and difficulty and considers bringing friends for safety and enjoyment. To incorporate hubris, students must adjust the narrative to show Dinah’s overestimation of her abilities and the potential fallout of such arrogance.

The educational goal of the exercise is to highlight the classic theme of hubris and encourage reflection on the importance of humility and awareness of one’s limitations. By rewriting the scenario, students can explore how hubris might lead Dinah to underestimate the trail’s challenges, ignore the risks, and proceed with excessive haste or without adequate preparation, potentially resulting in a dangerous situation. This exercise not only engages students with a key literary theme but also promotes critical thinking about the implications of overconfidence in real-life situations.