Bull Run

Choose one character, and imagine what happens to them next. Write a chapter from their point of view that continues their storyline.

Bull Run was the first of many major battles in the Civil War. Choose another battle, and research what happened. Explain any similarities or differences between the battle you choose and the Battle of Bull Run. Do the participants seem to be more aware of the brutality of war than the characters at the beginning of this book?

What is your opinion of the novel’s narrative structure, which alternates among many viewpoints? What are the strengths of using this structure? What are some weaknesses of this approach in terms of points of view, your understanding of the events, and your reading experience?

The photo of the young seamstress gives Dietrich hope. Do you own an object that gives you hope? Explain how it helps you and how the photograph helped Dietrich survive. If you do not have an object like this, describe something you think would help you in a dangerous situation.

As modern readers, we know that the Civil War was long and brutal, yet the characters in the first part of the novel are excited and even happy about the start of the war. Show why you think this is true, using details from the novel to support your answer.

How do issues like race, class, and gender affect the characters and their experiences in the US and its new war?

This novel uses 16 narrators and constantly switches perspectives instead of presenting one main character. Which character is the most memorable for you? Is there one character who stands out and plays a larger role in the text than the others? Explain your reasoning.

What did you learn about history from this book? Consider the Civil War, American culture at the time, the Battle of Bull Run, and other historical events that are mentioned. Do you like learning about history from fictional books? Why or why not?