2 options
The contrast : manners, morals, and authority in the early American republic / [edited by] Cynthia A. Kierner.
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Tyler, Royall, 1757-1826.
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Manners and customs--Drama.
- Manners and customs.
- Conduct of life--Drama.
- Conduct of life.
- Betrothal--Drama.
- Betrothal.
- Arranged marriage--Drama.
- Arranged marriage.
- Mate selection--Drama.
- Mate selection.
- Politics and literature--United States--History--18th century--Sources.
- Politics and literature.
- New York (N.Y.)--Social life and customs--18th century--Drama.
- New York (N.Y.).
- United States--Intellectual life--1783-1865--Sources.
- United States.
- Genre:
- Comedies.
- Sources
- History
- Drama
- Electronic books.
- Physical Description:
- 1 online resource (158 p.)
- Edition:
- 1st ed.
- Place of Publication:
- New York : New York University Press, c2007.
- Language Note:
- English
- Summary:
- "The Contrast", which premiered at New York City's John Street Theater in 1787, was the first American play performed in public by a professional theater company. The play, written by New England-born, Harvard-educated, Royall Tyler was timely, funny, and extremely popular. When the play appeared in print in 1790, George Washington himself appeared at the head of its list of hundreds of subscribers. Reprinted here with annotated footnotes by historian Cynthia A. Kierner, Tyler's play explores the debate over manners, morals, and cultural authority in the decades following American Revolution. Did the American colonists' rejection of monarchy in 1776 mean they should abolish all European social traditions and hierarchies? What sorts of etiquette, amusements, and fashions were appropriate and beneficial? Most important, to be a nation, did Americans need to distinguish themselves from Europeans-and, if so, how? Tyler was not the only American pondering these questions, and Kierner situates the play in its broader historical and cultural contexts. An extensive introduction provides readers with a background on life and politics in the United States in 1787, when Americans were in the midst of nation-building. The book also features a section with selections from contemporary letters, essays, novels, conduct books, and public documents, which debate issues of the era
- Contents:
- Introduction
- The contrast / Royall Tyler
- Primary documents: The former, present, and future prospects of America (1786); The dabblers (1788); Effects of the stage on the manners of a people (1792); Anti-theater petition (1793); The art of pleasing men and women (1747) ; Mercy Otis Warren on Chesterfield's letters (1779); For the females (1787); Fantastical, preposterous fashions [of] gentlemen (1787); On matrimonial obedience (1792); Proper conduct of the wife towards her husband (1804); Panegyric on the marriage state (1786); How to prolong the happiness of the marriage union (1787); Plan for the establishment of public schools (1786); The progress of a countryman (1787); The will of the people (1792); The natural aristocracy (1813).
- Notes:
- A reprint of The contrast by Royall Tyler, with annotated footnotes and an extensive introduction; also features selections from contemporary letters, essays, novels, conduct books, and public documents, which debate issues of the era.
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 139-142) and index.
- ISBN:
- 0-8147-4937-2
- OCLC:
- 176632638
The Penn Libraries is committed to describing library materials using current, accurate, and responsible language. If you discover outdated or inaccurate language, please fill out this feedback form to report it and suggest alternative language.