From: JoAnn Portalupi <jport>
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 1997 09:46:07 -0500

This is JoAnn from Alabama checking in. We had our reading of Bull Run the other night. While a number of my students described their first, and solitary, reading as one of stringing together monologues by a single character, this dramatic reading provided the impact I think Paul was after with presenting a chronology of the battle from differing perspectives.

Rather than focusing on the individuals (as one does when they link together monologues) the tenor of the battle came to the forefront and we saw through it the many lives that both influenced and were influenced by the event. I was struck by Paul's choice of the last two voices, Flora's and Lily's. For some reason I hadn't noticed them in quite the same way when I was reading sliently. But to hear them rendered aloud, each describing their own pain and loss brought home the reality of this war, any war. On one hand each was so removed from the actual event (physically speaking) and at the same time they weren't. We end with a reminder of war's power to reach its long arm into the lives of many. Loss and suffering looks the same regardless of which side you are on.

I was worried that the reading would be too long,but in the end it only took about an hour and fifteen minutes, And it provided one of those common experiences that are so critical to learning communities.

Paul, thanks for giving us Bull Run to experience.

JoAnn Portalupi

JoAnn Portalupi UAB School of Education Department of Curriculum & Instruction 901 South 13th St. Birmngham, AL 35294 - 1250
        phone (205) 934T19
        fax (205) 934G92
Received on Mon 02 Jun 1997 09:46:07 AM CDT