The girl with a broken heart
Purpose: to understand the differences between fact and opinion
Read the story of The Girl with a Broken Heart and decide in order of importance, who was responsible for the girl's death. Then click on the discussion board link below. State your decision as to who is responsible for the girl's death and why.
Disclaimer: The story you are about to read is a challenging one, containing many difficult events which you may find hard to address. At university you are likely to encounter challenging topics which cause heated debate and where emotions run very high! Learning to approach these things with an awareness of the way in which your own background, feelings and ideas might have a bearing is an important skill and often, it is not an easy process. The choices regarding characters and events are obviously entirely fictional and have been deliberately chosen because they call into question issues of gender, religion, individual versus collective responsibility etc. Therefore, we ask that you approach this in the spirit in which it is intended; as a story intended to draw out some key skills and awarenesses you will need in your undergraduate journey. It is not a reflection on individual staff members' affiliations nor the university at large.
The Girl with a Broken Heart
A young girl lived with her father and siblings in a small poor country called Talvia. She spent most of her time looking after the home and her family.
However, she met and fell in love with a young man who lived at the other side of the forest. Her father disapproved of the match and banned her from seeing him. He wanted her to stay and look after things for him, whilst he worked.
In desperation the young couple made arrangements to run away together, and one night she left the house clothed in her only dress and coat, with a few coins in her pocket.
She reached the river and realised that it was in full flow, and it would be dangerous to swim. Time was of the essence so she ran to the ferry and pleaded to be taken across, offering a coin. The boatman not only demanded all of her money but her coat as well, for it would be a difficult crossing.
At the other side, wet and shivering she came across a woodcutter who was sympathetic. He offered to take her home and give her some clothes to help her on her way. Once there, he asked her to sleep with him, or else he would turn her out into the forest, wet and cold. She refused, but he forced himself upon her.
Wearing the woodcutter’s clothes the girl ran to the church and talked to the priest. He told her to go away, that she had sinned against the church and her father.
She was determined to find her boyfriend and continued on her way. When at last she reached the meeting point and told him her story he said that she shouldn’t have gone with the woodcutter, especially in her thin dress. He could no longer contemplate running away with her, or being her boyfriend.
After wandering the forest for the rest of the day the girl committed suicide. She had a broken heart.
In order of the importance who is responsible for the girl’s death?
Boatman
Boyfriend
Girl
Priest
Father
Woodcutter
Are there any difficulties in coming to a firm conclusion?
What were your main considerations when making your decision?
Reflections: Go to the discussion board by clicking a link below and reflect upon other peoples comments