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Teaching Notes - Bloomer Girl

April 15, 2020



Welcome to Teaching Notes - a blog series written by a teacher to help other teachers #TeachtheSongbook. 

 By GASF Volunteer: Sue Ackley 
 

This Month's Teaching Notes:

 

As the Civil War looms, a young, progressive woman causes a scandal as she challenges the hoopskirt norm of society in favor of comfortable “bloomers".

 

A petticoat made like a cage—oh, what a ridiculous fashion!
‘Tis formed of hoops and bars of steel, or tubes of air which lighter feel,

It makes the dresses stretch far out, a dozen yards or so about…

 

 

Images inspired by Songbook Foundation's current exhibit installation titled, Of Thee I Sing: Politics on Stage. Learn more about our current exhibit here. 

  

What's it all about?

 

Bloomer Girl is a lighthearted depiction of a southern star-crossed romance between a rebellious suffrage and Confederate Army soldier. Bloomers and women’s rights tangle with fashion tradition and repression amidst the Civil War. Read full summary here.

 

What's going on in U.S. politics?

 

Bloomer Girl – 1944

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected as the 32nd President in 1933 as the country was in the depths of the Great Depression. He served the country through four terms with WWII being among his greatest challenges. He established the FDIC, US Social Security System, and had a major role in creating the United Nations. Read more here.

 

What topics are covered in the musical?

 

  • Abolitionist
  • Social equality
  • Suffragettes
  • Bloomers
  • Emancipation
  • Gender boundaries
  • Allegiance to country

 

Start a discussion:

 

  • Why did bloomers become a symbol for women’s rights?

  • In what way does the use of stereotypes affect the success of a musical?

  • What important roles both at home and on the battlefield did women play during the Civil War?

  • How is comedy utilized in musicals to convey a serious message?

 

What's been said about the musical?

 

  • “All in all, count Bloomer Girl as a welcome early-spring bloomer…Harburg saw a metaphor for ending repression, not only of women but also of African-Americans. And he saw all of this during the tense years of the Second World War.” Read more about it here.
  • “The musical ran 654 performances and was considered groundbreaking for its attempt to tell a socially relevant story within the frame of a musical comedy.” Read more about it here.

  • “Bloomer Girl Offers an Engaging Time.” Read more about it here.

  • “During the summer of 1851, the nation was seized by a ‘bloomer craze’. It became a symbol of women’s rights." Read more about it here.
  • “The melodic and witty score—Arlen and Harburg in top form—is reason enough for any revival of this little known work.” Read more about it here.
  • “You have made that transition from classical ballet to a kind of ballet that is more indigenous to this country and more representative of the spirit of America.” Read more about it here.

  • “An important and influential choreographer, director, and dancer, who helped transform the American musical theater of the 40’s and 50’s.” Read more about it here.

    

Useful Lesson Plans and Ideas

 

  1. Civil War Lesson Plans and Activities
  2. Civil War 150 Educator's Guide
  3. Civil War and Reconstruction (1850 - 1877)
  4. Women in the American Civil War
  5. Women's Suffrage Teaching Guide
  6. Exploring Uncle Tom's Cabin
  7. Uncle Tom's Cabin Lesson Plans
  8. Uncle Tom's Cabin & The Ideology of Slavery

  

Where can I find out more?

  

Barbara Cook sings selections from "Bloomer Girl" Live

 

Civil War Ballet (music: Harold Arlen)

 

Keith Andes sings "The Eagle and Me" (1955)

 

Bing Crosby sings "Evelina" (1944)

 

Sylvia McNair sings "Right as Rain"

 

 

Up next month: Hair "the American Tribal Love-Rock Musical" of the 60’s.  

Hair rocked the theater world to its core and shocked audiences with its open themes of drug use, the sexual revolution, a multiracial cast and onstage nudity.

 

Happy Teaching! Please share your success in the classroom with us by posting about your lesson plan using the hashtag #TeachtheSongbook and tagging us @songbookfoundation.

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A Note from the Author: I can’t imagine life without music. When tunes float by, memories flood in. My foot starts tapping, fingers start snapping, and I get caught up in the emotion of the song.  For 28 years, music was always a key component in my classroom. It never failed to grab the attention of my students and made past cultures come alive with connections to daily life.

 

I’m excited to open up a discussion about the new Songbook exhibit, Of Thee I sing Politics on Stage. It’s a storytelling device where cultural values are seen in the context of music. Including musical theater in your classroom has never been easier. Join me in this forum where you can share your lesson plans and get ideas from others. It’s your point of access for creative ways to engage your students through music. Tell me what works and what’s missing. Let’s start a conversation and get those toes tapping.

 

 Sue Ackley

Contact me at: info@thesongbook.org

     

Keep an eye out for our other installments coming soon...