Series: Jefferson Memorial Education Series: Quoting Out of Context?

When visitors enter the domed chamber of the Jefferson Memorial, they are surrounded by inscriptions meant to represent Thomas Jefferson's beliefs about liberty and democracy. Who chose the texts that appear on the walls? How do the inscriptions shape our understanding of Jefferson's philosophy? Is the memorial an example of quoting out of context?

  • Article 1: Jefferson Memorial Education Series: Time and Text

    Jefferson Memorial at night photographed from across the Tidal Basin

    Have you ever been misquoted or had your words taken out of context? In this introduction to the Jefferson Memorial Education series for 8th-12th grade, students learn about the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Commission and are introduced to the selection process for the inscriptions on the chamber walls. Then they will begin to consider how editing a quotation can change its meaning. How does the design of a memorial affect how a person is remembered? Read more

  • Article 2: Jefferson Memorial Education Series: “I Like the Way You Have Worked Out the Inscription”

    Declaration of Independence inscription in bronze letters inside the Jefferson Memorial

    Do the inscriptions in the Jefferson Memorial represent Thomas Jefferson's beliefs and philosophies? In this education activity for 8th-12th grade, students will compare an inscription in the memorial to an earlier draft, and to the original text of the Declaration of Independence. They will analyze how shortening or editing a quotation can change its meaning. To extend the lesson, they will compose their own suggestion for an inscription in taken from the Declaration. Read more

  • Article 3: Jefferson Memorial Education Series: Each New Generation

    Jefferson Memorial interior wall inscription in bronze block letters

    In this education activity designed for 9th-12th graders, students compare an inscription in the Jefferson Memorial with the primary source text. How does the full context affect your understanding of Jefferson's argument? Students consider Jefferson's suggestion that each generation should have a chance to amend the state constitution, as well as his ideas for how to "collect voices" of the people. What changes would you make? How do you get your voice heard? Read more

  • Article 4: Jefferson Memorial Education Series: 97 Words, 5 Primary Sources

    Jefferson Memorial interior wall inscription in bronze block letters

    The inscription on the northeast wall of the Jefferson Memorial is a conglomeration of words and sentences pulled from five different sources. Does it accurately represent Thomas Jefferson's beliefs about slavery and liberty? In this education activity for 8th-12th graders, students will compare the inscription with the primary sources and analyze the meaning of the quote in context and then compose their own inscription. How should the memorial present slavery? Read more

  • Article 5: Jefferson Memorial Education Series: Religious Freedom

    Inscription on northwest wall of Jefferson Memorial in bronze block letters

    In this education activity for 7th-12th grade, students examine the inscription on the northeast interior wall of the Jefferson Memorial and compare it to the primary source documents from which it is quoted, the Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom and a letter from Jefferson to James Madison, written a decade later. Students explore how context affects their understanding of the text and are invited to write their own inscription using the same text. Read more

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