Misunderstood

Many historians believe that Mary Todd Lincoln was deeply misunderstood. This activity explores what it means to be misunderstood and why Mary Todd Lincoln may have been viewed unfairly by others during her life.

After learning about her experiences, think about another person—real or fictional—who you believe was misunderstood. This could be a character from real life, a movie, a book, sports, or even a video game. Write about who they are, why they were misunderstood, and how their story makes you think differently about judging others too quickly.

Step 1: Introduction (10–15 minutes)

Begin by asking students: “What does it mean to be misunderstood?” Write down their responses on the board. Discuss how public perception is not always accurate and how people may carry labels that don’t tell their full story.

Step 2: Class Discussion (15 minutes)

• Present a brief overview of Mary Todd Lincoln’s life, emphasizing her public image versus the personal struggles she faced (e.g., grief, mental health, political pressure).
• Introduce Professor Snape from Harry Potter. Ask students to reflect on how he was perceived early in the series versus how he was ultimately revealed.
• Discuss: How do these two figures compare? What contributed to them being misunderstood?

Step 3: Writing Activity (20–30 minutes)

Students will complete the following writing prompt:

Prompt: Many historians believe that Mary Todd Lincoln was misunderstood. Think of another person—real or fictional—who you believe was also misunderstood. This could be someone from real life, a book, a movie, sports, or a video game. Write about who they are, why they were misunderstood, and what we can learn from their story.

Step 4: Sharing and Reflection (10–15 minutes)

• Ask volunteers to share their responses.
• Discuss: What patterns did we notice? Why is it important to understand the full story before judging someone?