Students then write a first-person narrative from the perspective of one of those people. Review the Academic Content Standards related to this lesson. Research life during the Civil War era, focusing on a specific historical figure or a specific kind of person who lived during this time period. Write a first-person narrative from the perspective of this person, reflecting on how his or her life was affected by the Civil War and offering advice to Americans in the 1990s.
Students then share their answers.
Read the first paragraph. Read the second paragraph. Discuss the critic's evaluation of Oprah Winfrey's performance as Sethe. Each student selects a person from the Civil War era for research and for a narrative writing exercise. Older students or students who have some knowledge of the Civil War and Reconstruction periods may brainstorm people of whom they know for their narratives.