Debate Topics
The Oregon Trail: Sketches of Prairie and Rocky-Mountain Life by Parkman, Francis
Pick a story conflict
Civilization vs. Wilderness
"Is the expansion of civilization into the American West a triumph of progress or a tragedy of loss?"
The Romanticization of Native Americans
"Is it possible to truly understand and represent a culture different from your own, or are all observations inevitably filtered through the lens of personal bias?"
Leadership and Authority
"Is true leadership based on rank and authority, or on competence and respect?"
The Nature of Courage
"Is true courage the absence of fear, or the ability to act despite it?"
💡 How Debates Work
Characters naturally disagree on some subjects, as the author intended! Discover the tensions that drive the story. Features: pre-loaded questions, clickable prompts; characters who remember and talk authentically based on their values. Jump back into your favorite stories in a whole new way.