Open Reader Response Journals
For our reading and study of Man's Search for Meaning, you will be asked to write four, one-page responses (typed)/two-page responses (handwritten) about any element of the text that interests you. Consider quotes, concepts, ideas, questions, anecdotes, etc. that Dr. Frankl shares and share your interest or connection to any of these elements of the text.
Below is an example of a former student's Open Reading Response Journal to Man's Search for Meaning.
"The dehumanization of the prisoners that started from the first day of their imprisonment in the camps. The text states that upon admission to the camp, “all their documents had been taken from them, together with their other possessions.” The prisoners were stripped of everything that mattered to them and were made vulnerable through their nakedness, both physically and emotionally. Frankl also mentions that the prisoners were assigned numbers, which essentially became their identity. Their demotion to only numbers in the minds of the authorities displays the mistreatment of the prisoners.
In Auschwitz, the prisoners were able to maintain their positivity in the beginning. In the text, Frankl recounts that they were fortunate to go to a camp that did not have a chimney, sparing their lives for a while. They “laughed and cracked jokes in spite of” everything they experienced. This shows that the prisoners in that group were actively choosing to be joyful despite their misfortune. Instead of being pessimistic and looking at the negatives, they were optimistic and looked at the fact that they were spared for a bit longer.
The meaning of an individual’s life changes on a frequent basis. Frankl asserts that “what matters is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person’s life at a given moment.” Frankl was right on point with this statement. He displays the constant oscillation and uncertainty that individuals experience all of their life. With graduation quickly approaching, seniors in high school all over the country are dealing with this constant nagging thought of “What am I doing with my life? Why am I here?” Frankl demonstrates that uncertainty is alright and even a sense of security can be found in spite of it.
Frankl emphasizes the importance of an individual being able to look back on their life and know that it was meaningful to them. In an anecdote, he concludes, “viewing her life as if from her deathbed, she had suddenly been able to see a meaning in it, a meaning which even included all of her sufferings.” This quote also demonstrates that it is never too late to discover meaning. This woman shows that despite hard times, positivity can assist in overcoming hard times. This is one of the most important aspects of Frankl’s teaching because gathering and understanding the meaning in suffering makes the lessons learned from the experience resonate in the future."
Below is an example of a former student's Open Reading Response Journal to Man's Search for Meaning.
"The dehumanization of the prisoners that started from the first day of their imprisonment in the camps. The text states that upon admission to the camp, “all their documents had been taken from them, together with their other possessions.” The prisoners were stripped of everything that mattered to them and were made vulnerable through their nakedness, both physically and emotionally. Frankl also mentions that the prisoners were assigned numbers, which essentially became their identity. Their demotion to only numbers in the minds of the authorities displays the mistreatment of the prisoners.
In Auschwitz, the prisoners were able to maintain their positivity in the beginning. In the text, Frankl recounts that they were fortunate to go to a camp that did not have a chimney, sparing their lives for a while. They “laughed and cracked jokes in spite of” everything they experienced. This shows that the prisoners in that group were actively choosing to be joyful despite their misfortune. Instead of being pessimistic and looking at the negatives, they were optimistic and looked at the fact that they were spared for a bit longer.
The meaning of an individual’s life changes on a frequent basis. Frankl asserts that “what matters is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person’s life at a given moment.” Frankl was right on point with this statement. He displays the constant oscillation and uncertainty that individuals experience all of their life. With graduation quickly approaching, seniors in high school all over the country are dealing with this constant nagging thought of “What am I doing with my life? Why am I here?” Frankl demonstrates that uncertainty is alright and even a sense of security can be found in spite of it.
Frankl emphasizes the importance of an individual being able to look back on their life and know that it was meaningful to them. In an anecdote, he concludes, “viewing her life as if from her deathbed, she had suddenly been able to see a meaning in it, a meaning which even included all of her sufferings.” This quote also demonstrates that it is never too late to discover meaning. This woman shows that despite hard times, positivity can assist in overcoming hard times. This is one of the most important aspects of Frankl’s teaching because gathering and understanding the meaning in suffering makes the lessons learned from the experience resonate in the future."